Colonoscopies are important procedures used to detect any issues with the colon. Colonoscopy errors can have serious consequences for the patient. If you or someone you know has been injured by a colonoscopy error, it might be a result of medical malpractice. At Arfaa Law Group, our Baltimore medical negligence attorneys can assess the details of your situation and determine the strength of your claim. We understand that this is a stressful time for your family and you, which is why we will try to make the legal process as seamless as possible for you.
The American Cancer Society recommends that starting at age 50, both men and women should receive regular colonoscopies to prevent colorectal cancer. Screenings should continue until the age of 75. Possible complications that could arise from a colonoscopy include perforations, when a hole is punched in your bowel and causes fecal matter to leak into the abdominal cavity, which can lead to sepsis. They also include cardiopulmonary complications involving the heart and lungs, which are usually associated with sedation, as well as significant bleeding after a colonoscopy that requires surgery or transfusions, infections, gas explosions, and even death.
Since colonoscopies are routine procedures, most take place without incident. If, however, you have been harmed because of a colonoscopy error, you may have a medical malpractice claim against the physician and, in some cases, other medical staff and even the hospital or clinic. Establishing a medical malpractice claim in Maryland requires the plaintiff to demonstrate that the physician failed to meet the standard of care that would have been used by a reasonably prudent physician in the same specialty under the same circumstances. Furthermore, the plaintiff must show causation, or that the physician’s failure to adhere to the standard of care was a direct cause of the plaintiff’s injury.
Once a plaintiff has successfully established medical malpractice, he or she will be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include things like medical bills, lost wages, lost benefits, rehabilitation costs, and other quantifiable bills. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are a category of damages that includes intangible losses such as pain and suffering, anxiety, loss of enjoyment, and scarring and disfigurement. Non-economic damages are harder to quantify through a dollar amount, since they are more subjective. It is important to note that the extent of the damages that are awarded to a particular plaintiff will depend on the nature and extent of the plaintiff’s injuries.
Colonoscopy errors can have serious consequences for patients. In some cases, colonoscopy errors may even require emergency care to address. If this type of error has been the cause of your harm, it is important to seek legal counsel. At Arfaa Law Group, our experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys have a thorough understanding of how to successfully establish medical negligence. With years of experience, we have helped many Maryland clients recover the compensation that they deserve for their harm. To discuss your case in more detail, feel free to call 410-889-1850 or contact us online.
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