There are risks associated with any kind of medical procedure, especially with major operations and surgeries. Before making the decision to schedule a surgery, doctors generally inform patients of the risks associated, including the likelihood of certain complications. But as any medical malpractice attorney in New York should know, even with this information, patients rarely have reason to expect amputation as the end result of a minor procedure.
A Brooklyn woman was faced with double leg amputation following a minor surgery at a Long Island hospital and has brought a medical malpractice suit against the doctors involved with the surgery and the hospital.
She went in for a gynecological procedure, and her complaint alleges that during the operation, the doctors punctured her intestine. Leakage from the intestines caused blood poisoning and massive infection, leading to gangrene in her lower legs, which eventually required amputation.
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Medical malpractice happens when a doctor, nurse, or other medical personnel acts negligently, and that negligent act or omission causes harm to a patient. Medical malpractice claims can be brought against several parties, including the doctor, the hospital itself, or the government agency that operates the facilities, if there is one.
Doctors are required to act within the generally accepted standards of medical care, and if their conduct falls below that standard, they may be liable. Medical errors such as a mistake in providing a diagnosis or improper treatment can give rise to a medical malpractice claim.
The most recent development in the Brooklyn case is a ruling that the case can properly be heard in Brooklyn, the woman’s place of residence, instead of Long Island, where the hospital is located.
Source: NYDailyNews.com, “Brooklyn woman whose feet were amputated in alleged medical malpractice gets her day in Kings County court,” John Marzulli, Dec. 13, 2012
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