If a doctor causes a pneumothorax are they to be held responsible?
Question Details:
My minor daughter was given a trigger point injection by an orthopedist that she works for; it resulted in a pneumothorax. There was no medical chart at that time but a chart that has been amended has been made since. She received a 20% pneumothorax according to a pulmonologist. Is this something that warrants legal consideration?
Medical malpractice is basically medical negligence, or carelessness. Not all bad outcomes for a patient are the result of malpractice; only those that result because of inadequate training, skill, or knowledge for the procedure attempted; carelessness in diagnosis or administerting the procedure; using the wrong or badly maintained or designed equipment; etc. It's basically providing medical care not up to accepted standards of care. If there was medical malpractice, then the care provider may be liable for medical costs resulting from the malpractice, lost wages, and possibly pain and sufering. If your daughter has suffered significan pain or disability, or you have had to pay for more medical care--or there is a risk of future consequences--you should consult with a medical malpractice attorney; he or she can help you determine if medical malpractice was likel involved, how strong the case might be, what it might be worth, and what it might cost to pursue. Many of these attorneys will rproide a free initial consultation.
