Paralysis Caused By Medical Malpractice
Posted in Medical Malpractice on September 29, 2021
When we go to the hospital or clinic, we expect that our trusted medical providers will treat our conditions. We do not expect a healthcare professional to severely injure us while providing care. Unfortunately, not all medical providers take the necessary care while treating patients, leading to serious harm.
In some instances, patients may become paralyzed due to the negligence of their doctor, resulting in lifelong complications, financial hardship, and emotional distress. If you have experienced paralysis caused by medical malpractice, you could hold the at-fault medical provider liable for the losses you suffered.
Common Causes of Paralysis Caused by Medical Malpractice
Paralysis is one of the most severe and life-altering medical conditions you can experience. This condition is characterized by a loss of feeling and function below the injury site. Paralysis can be partial or complete, affecting the arms, legs, trunk, and other parts of the body. Patients with this condition often require lifelong medical treatment, live-in care, mobility equipment, and other important accommodations.
People often develop paralysis after a serious accident, such as a motor vehicle collision or a fall from a high place. However, a medical professional’s negligence may also cause this condition. Common types of medical malpractice that can cause paralysis include the following.
- Surgical errors: Surgeons can commit critical errors during a procedure, causing a patient to become paralyzed. If the error occurs near the brain or the spine, the surgeon can permanently damage the spinal cord.
- Birth injuries: During childbirth, a newborn can develop temporary or permanent paralysis due to a brachial plexus injury. The brachial plexus is the network of nerves in the neck, which can become torn, compressed, or stretched during labor. This injury often occurs when a doctor uses excessive and unnecessary force while removing the child from the birth canal.
- Misdiagnosis: If a medical professional inaccurately diagnoses a spinal cord condition or if he or she failures to diagnose the condition at all, the injury may become more severe than if it received prompt and correct medical attention. As a result, a patient may become paralyzed due to the doctor’s negligence. Additionally, if a doctor fails to diagnose a severe condition like meningitis, the illness can worsen, and paralysis can occur.
Your Legal Options After a Doctor’s Negligence
Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider fails to provide a certain standard of care and causes harm to a patient as a result of his or her negligence. If you have become paralyzed due to an act of medical malpractice, you have the right to hold the responsible medical professional liable in a lawsuit.
By filing a medical malpractice claim in Missouri civil court, you can recover compensation for the economic, or financial, losses you sustained due to the paralysis, including medical expenses, mobility equipment, physical therapy, and lost wages. You can also hold the medical professional accountable for your non-economic damages, also known as pain and suffering.
To secure this compensation, however, you will need to prove that the at-fault party’s actions deviated from the standard of care and caused your injury. In these situations, a Kansas City medical malpractice lawyer can help you craft a compelling case for your right to recovery. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case and explore your next steps.