The harm caused by medical malpractice - when a physician, nurse or other health care provider fails to act in accordance with the accepted standard of care, and a patient is injured - may be catastrophic and last a life time. Although health care professionals may not always be able to prevent harm, when their actions deviate from the standard, and innocent victims suffer, they may be held responsible in a medical malpractice lawsuit and be required to pay damages.
In a recent medical malrpactice trial, a jury determined that a doctor's action (or in this instance, failure to act) were in part responsible for a woman suffering a stroke, leading to permanent paralysis. Evidence was presented at trial that the woman had undergone testing that revealed she had brain abnormalities. Standard protocol called for her physician to document the abnormalities in a database accessible to other physicians. However, the doctor failed to do so. Years later, when the woman became pregnant, the information was not available to warn her obstetrician of the dangers of labor, and that delivering via c-section should be considered. The woman delivered naturally, and several hours later suffered a massive stroke. She was left paralyzed, with limited movement in her right arm. She is unable to return to work and has difficulty speaking.
The jury awarded the woman $35.4 Million to pay for a lifetime of medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
For more information, or if you believe you or a loved one has suffered harm from medical malpractice, please contact the experienced Los Angeles medical malpractice lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.