As we all know, a trip to a medical facility for any reason can cause nervousness or anxiety. Most medical treatments do result in a safe outcome. However, there are far too many cases in which negligence or errors have disastrous results.
For example, in one case that has now led to a lawsuit, something as simple as the failure to note the presence of dentures prior to surgery may have cost a man his life. The man’s family has brought a wrongful death lawsuit against the medical center where the man underwent surgery.
According to reports, the man was admitted to a hospital after experiencing vomiting, nausea, constipation and abdominal pain. He was cleared for surgery the day after his admission, and his diagnosis was reportedly a small bowel obstruction and ventral hernia.
The wrongful death suit alleges that the anesthesiologist’s report neglects to note that the patient was wearing dentures. He was diagnosed with a stroke two days after the surgery, and a nurse reportedly noticed the man had trouble breathing after the stroke. Upon investigation, medical staff found the man’s dentures, which were still stuck in his throat.
The family’s lawsuit claims that the dentures interfered with the patient’s respiratory functions following the surgery and led to his stroke. The man died a year later. The suit claims that his death was caused by complications of the stroke, including kidney failure. The family is seeking compensation for medical expenses, attorney’s fees and pain and suffering.
Injuries and deaths related to medical errors involve complex details. In this case, the family alleges the incident began over a year before the man’s death. Success in a wrongful death case often depends on an in-depth investigation and skilled presentation of the facts. If you have questions about medical malpractice, then you can learn more at our personal injury website.
Source: The Louisiana Record, “Family of man who allegedly died after dentures became lodged in throat during surgery sues,” Kyle Barnett, May 2, 2014