A female patient, who sought medical attention following a fall, unexpectedly learned of a mass on her pancreas. Although the mass was benign, the surgeon recommended a comprehensive surgery to remove both her spleen and pancreatic tail due to potential malignancy risks. After the surgery, the patient’s health began to deteriorate, characterized by recurring nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Despite her consistent reports to the original hospital, she was repeatedly diagnosed with pancreatitis.
An assessment at an external hospital using a CT scan identified a small bowel obstruction, yet the original hospital and surgeon dismissed this finding, adhering to their pancreatitis diagnosis. As the patient’s condition continued to decline, a visit to another facility confirmed the presence of a bowel obstruction. Unfortunately, the delayed intervention had catastrophic consequences; the prolonged disruption of blood supply necessitated the excision of significant portions of her small and large bowel, which narrowly saved her life.
As a result, the patient was left with a colostomy and required j-tube nutritional feeding due to the reduced absorption capacity of her remaining bowel. Our firm pursued justice for this significant oversight, securing expert opinions and testimony that supported our client’s claims. This led to substantial litigation and a significant settlement for the patient.
Type of Medical Malpractice: Surgical Complication and Chronic Misdiagnosis
Standard of Care Issues:
- Accurate and prompt diagnosis of post-surgical complications
- Considering external medical opinions when persistent symptoms are present
- Timely intervention to prevent irreversible damage to the patient’s health