Stenosis of the coronary arteries can cause serious issues, including arrhythmias, heart attacks, and sudden death. As such, doctors will often recommend that people with narrowing of the arteries of the heart undergo coronary artery bypass surgery. For many people, coronary artery bypass surgery is a life-saving procedure. Sadly, however, some people suffer irreparable harm due to coronary artery bypass surgery errors. If you or someone you love sustained injuries due to mistakes made during coronary artery bypass surgery, you have the right to pursue compensation, and you should talk to an attorney about the circumstances surrounding your losses. The dedicated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are proficient at assisting people hurt by the recklessness of their health care providers in the pursuit of damages for their injuries, and if we represent you, we will gather the evidence needed to provide you with a strong chance of achieving a favorable outcome.
Examples of Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery ErrorDuring coronary artery bypass surgery, the surgeon will typically harvest a vein from one portion of the patient’s body, like their leg, and use the vein as a conduit to graft one or more arteries, thereby allowing blood to flow adequately through the heart and body.
Critical issues can arise if the doctor fails to properly attach the conduit vein to the appropriate artery, rendering the surgery ineffective. Additionally, if the surgeon does not take proper preventive measures, the surgical site may become infected, which can cause serious complications. In some instances, a doctor will neglect to employ measures to prevent the patient from developing blood clots, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack. A doctor’s failure to monitor and manage the patient’s heart medication before and after the procedure or to administer anesthesia properly can cause damages as well. Some patients suffer harm due to unnecessary coronary bypass surgery.
Elements of a Lawsuit Arising Out of a Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery ErrorParties who suffer harm because of coronary bypass surgery errors will often seek compensation from the providers responsible for their harm in medical malpractice lawsuits. In most cases, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice lawsuit must show that the defendant was negligent.
In Maryland, establishing the negligence of a defendant requires the plaintiff to show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty. The duty a doctor owes a plaintiff is to offer treatment that complies with the appropriate standard of care, which is the care that a reasonable practitioner that works in the same field as the defendant would render when presented with a similar set of facts. As the standard of care that applies to medical professionals is generally beyond the understanding of the average judge or jury, the plaintiff will most likely need to retain a medical expert to testify regarding the standard of care.
Next, the plaintiff must show that the defendant’s acts or omissions constitute a breach of the standard of care, which usually requires expert testimony as well. Finally, the plaintiff needs to establish causation, which means they need to link the defendant’s breach to the harm they ultimately suffered. In other words, they must show they would not have been injured had the defendant complied with the standard of care. Proving causation also requires expert testimony in most cases. A plaintiff that successfully demonstrates a defendant’s fault may be granted compensation for their economic and noneconomic losses.
Confer with a Capable Baltimore AttorneyCoronary artery bypasses save many people’s lives, but if a doctor performs a bypass improperly, it can cause devastating injuries. If you or a loved one sustained harm because of coronary artery bypass malpractice, it is in your best interest to confer with an attorney about your options for seeking damages as soon as possible. The capable Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group possess the skills and resources required to achieve favorable outcomes in medical malpractice cases, and if you engage our services, we will develop persuasive arguments in favor of your recovery of compensation. We frequently represent injured parties in medical malpractice cases in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can reach us through our form online or by calling (410) 889-1850 to set up a confidential and free conference.