Unless it is an emergency, when a doctor in Pennsylvania recommends surgery to resolve a medical issue, he or she is required to provide the patient with certain information. No procedures may be carried out until a patient has given consent, and he or she has the right to be fully informed about the diagnosis and the treatment recommended by the doctor. Failure to inform patients may lead to medical malpractice lawsuits.
Four doctors and other health care entities in another state are facing a lawsuit that was filed by a man claiming that a surgical procedure was carried out without obtaining his consent. The claim states that surgery to his shoulder was performed by one of the defendants. The plaintiff asserts that an anesthetic nerve block was required for numbing specific nerves in order to decrease pain during surgery and recovery. During the placing of the block, damage was allegedly done to a group of other nerves that form a connection to the spine.
The plaintiff claims that the defendants failed to obtain informed consent from him. He accuses the defendants of failing to provide an acceptable standard of care and alleges surgical errors in administering the anesthesia block to the nerves. He further alleges that the pain he suffered, along with disfigurement and permanent disability, was caused by the negligent error. In addition to these damages, he seeks compensation for medical expenses and lost income.
Procedures such as the blocking of nerves by injecting a numbing medication or local anesthetic could have adverse consequences about which a doctor should inform a patient. Pennsylvania residents who suspect that their medical condition may be the result of medical negligence or a doctor’s failure to provide enough information to allow an informed decision may pursue recovery of damages. By obtaining the necessary evidence and documenting losses, a medical malpractice claim filed in a civil court may be viable.
Source: louisianarecord.com, “Patient sues LSU Health after anesthesia block allegedly inappropriately applied, results in nerve damage“, Kyle Barnett, Feb. 11, 2015