Many patients consider it a good thing to be discharged from the hospital. While this is true in many instances, in others a discharge can be dangerous if not carried out appropriately. For example, a lawsuit has been filed against a doctor and a hospital after a woman was discharged without proper pain medication which, according to the lawsuit, caused the woman to die from a stroke. The woman, who was suffering extreme pain, was not given morphine or a prescription for the drug upon her discharge. Later, high blood pressure, allegedly caused by her trying to cope with the pain, caused a fatal hypertensive stroke.
Medical professionals owe their patients a duty of care which seeks to give them efficient care in a safe manner. When a doctor or nurse’s actions or inactions fail to meet that standard, then an injured patient or surviving family members if the incident is fatal, can file a lawsuit in an attempt to recover compensation for damages.
A wrongful death lawsuit, like the one filed in the instance mentioned above, often seeks to recover medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Though such a claim cannot bring a loved one back, it might help the victim’s family find comfort and closure, allowing them to rest easy knowing that there was accountability for the fatal medical mistake.
Unfortunately, doctor mistakes happen all the time and they are not all equal. Should a slipup result in a fatal accident, then surviving family members should consider speaking with a legal professional. In Eugene, Oregon, a wrongful death attorney can help a family understand the legal process as well as their legal options, and he or she will do everything possible to recover the compensation the family deserves.
Source: The Telegraph, “Passavant, doctor sued over patient death,” Cody Bozarth, June 12, 2014