People in Oregon who are considering undergoing elective plastic surgery may want to research the physician and facility beforehand and keep in mind that dangerous complications can occur. In 2013, an 18-year-old Florida woman slipped into a coma after her blood pressure and heart rate dropped to dangerously low levels during breast augmentation surgery. When the Florida Department of Health examined the incident, it found that the doctor did not provide a sufficient airway for artificial breathing during his resuscitation attempts.
The woman was in the coma for two weeks, and since then, she has been unable to stand for more than a few moments at a time. She can only speak a few words. Her family is dealing with having to care for her while also taking care of her young son.
The doctor who performed the surgery had served time in prison for illegally selling drugs online. After the investigation into this incident, he was required to take continuing education classes and fined $10,000. However, he has never had his license revoked.
As in this case, a surgeon’s mistake can have devastating consequences for patients as well as their family members. A person who is harmed as a result of a medical error may want to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice against the medical facility or practitioner who made the error. A court will examine whether the responsible party exercised the requisite degree of care. The burden of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case, so the plaintiff only needs to demonstrate a preponderance of evidence. The compensation sought could include medical expenses and other losses that were incurred.