A man might be able to walk today if the physician who cared for him in the hospital had acted reasonably to treat his condition, according to a new medical malpractice lawsuit. The doctor is accused of failing to treat an epidural abscess, causing him to suffer paralysis.
The plaintiff was admitted into the hospital in July 2011. His symptoms at the time of his admission are not mentioned in an article about the suit. According to the National Institutes of Health website, symptoms of an epidural abscess can include fever, back pain, incontinence, headache, weakness and numbness.
The defendant was in charge of the plaintiff’s care while he was in the hospital. According to the plaintiff, the doctor failed to diagnose the abscess, causing it to go untreated. The plaintiff suffered permanent paralysis as a result, the lawsuit says.
It appears that he lost his job due to his disability. The lawsuit claims loss of income as a result of the doctor’s negligence. In addition, the man has endured physical and mental suffering, he says.
This case is a sad example of what can happen when a doctor fails to diagnose a serious medical condition. Patients in that situation could die or suffer permanent disability. Their lives and their family’s lives are forever affected because of medical malpractice committed by a doctor, nurse, dentist or other medical professional.
In Illinois, victims of malpractice can seek financial restitution in civil court. While it may not restore their health, a settlement or verdict could help compensate the victim for the huge expenses they may have incurred.
Source: The West Virginia Record, “Couple sue physician for medical malpractice,” Kyla Asbury, Aug. 9, 2013
