Pulmonary Embolisms Are Deadly And Dangerous

A blood clot in one of the lung’s arteries, or in a branch thereof, is called a pulmonary embolism.  These blood clots typically originate in a leg vein and then travel to the lungs.  Leg blood clots have a name too; it is called deep vein thrombosis.

The experienced Kingston medical malpractice attorney is all too aware of the prevalence that pulmonary embolisms and deep vein thrombosis have in the United States of America.   The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes that 900,000 people can suffer from these ailments each year in the U.S.  As many as 100,000 people will die each year from deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolisms.

More startling is that sudden death is the first symptom that twenty five percent of these people will have.  Thirty percent more could die within a month of their initial diagnosis.

How can medical malpractice arise out of an adverse health event tied to pulmonary embolisms?  Often times, it is because of a missed diagnosis or an untimely diagnosis.  Doctors know the circumstances that can lead to pulmonary embolism and vein blood clots.  For example, people bedridden whether due to age or after surgery are at a heightened risk for blood clots.  Lengthy surgery can lead to blood clots too.  People that sit for a long time each day are at a heightened risk for blood clots as well.

Medical professionals should get accurate and complete patient histories so that they can identify the health risks each patient may have.  For example, if a doctor knows that his patient is a long distance truck driver, the doctor may then know to keep an eye out for the signs of blood clotting.  A failed receipt of the patient’s history and background may lead to a failed diagnosis.

Since medical professionals know that lengthy surgery and bedridden patients are at risk for blood clots, measures should be taken to help prevent blood clotting and the patient should be monitored for the presence of blood clotting.   Unfortunately, post operative care and long term care is not always up to par and patients are treated below the standards required by medicine.  Patients have even been discharged from the hospital too early and medications have been administered to them incorrectly; had these things not have happened, they would not have had to suffer from pulmonary embolisms.

If negligent medical care caused a patient to put up with: additional pain and suffering; medical bills; lost wages; a decreased life expectancy; having to change careers; short term rehabilitation costs; and or long term rehabilitation costs, the offending doctor can be made to compensate the victim.  The relatives of a deceased victim can be compensated as well.

But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.