Acute injuries to the legs and knees bring many people to the emergency room. Leg injuries are often caused by blunt force, like the impact of a collision or fall. Other accidents can cause harm as well, such as fractures, tears in ligaments and tendons, and dislocated knees. Regardless of the cause of the harm, when people present to the hospital with complaints of leg pain, the physicians who attend to them must conduct thorough examinations; otherwise, they may miss signs of critical issues like damage to the popliteal artery. If a doctor fails to diagnose a popliteal artery injury, it can lead to tissue death that ultimately requires an amputation. If you lost a leg due to a popliteal artery amputation, it is advisable to consult a lawyer to discuss your possible claims. At Arfaa Law Group, our knowledgeable Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys proudly dedicate our practice to helping innocent parties recover compensation for injuries caused by the negligence of others, and we have the skills and resources needed to help you seek a just outcome.
Causes and Signs of a Popliteal Artery InjuryThe popliteal artery extends from the femoral artery and supplies blood to muscles and tissues in the leg. The popliteal artery runs deep within the leg behind the knee; as such, whenever a person suffers an injury to the knee or leg, there is a risk it could be damaged. Signs of a popliteal artery injury include a diminished or absent pedal pulse, decreased blood flow to the legs or feet, which is indicated by coldness, numbness, lack of sensation, and blue discoloration of the skin. Doctors can identify popliteal artery injuries by checking the temperature of a patient’s leg and assessing their skin and neurological symptoms. Popliteal artery issues and injuries, such as clots that stop blood flow, hemorrhages, and transections, can halt or decrease the flow of blood throughout the leg. If not identified and treated promptly, such harm can result in necrosis, which usually requires popliteal artery amputation.
Recovering Damages for Popliteal Artery AmputationPatients who undergo amputations due to an undiagnosed popliteal artery injury may be able to recover the cost of any medical care they need, which includes physical and occupational therapy and assistive devices. Additionally, if they cannot work due to their harm, they may be awarded compensation for lost wages. In most cases, juries grant people who endure popliteal artery amputations significant damages for the suffering, pain, mental trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life as well.
To recover damages for a popliteal artery amputation, a person must first establish liability. Usually, an individual injured by incompetent care will file a medical malpractice lawsuit asserting negligence claims against the providers who caused the losses suffered. In Maryland, a plaintiff alleging medical negligence must establish that the defendant had a duty to care for the patient in a manner that complied with the applicable standard of care, which is the treatment that a reasonable professional in the same practice area would provide in a similar situation.
Then, the plaintiff must show that the defendant’s omissions or acts constitute a departure from the standard of care. Last, the plaintiff must show that the defendant’s failure to abide by the standard of care proximately caused the plaintiff’s harm. In cases involving popliteal artery amputations, this means that the amputation would not have been necessary if the defendant did not breach the standard of care.
Expert testimony is usually needed to explain the relevant standard and link the defendant’s breach of the standard of care to the harm suffered. The plaintiff will also likely need an expert opinion to prove the extent of the losses sustained.
Speak with an Attorney in BaltimoreThe loss of a limb can permanently alter a person’s life, and when preventable medical errors lead to amputations, it can cause anger and frustration in addition to pain and incapacity. If you underwent amputation due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose a popliteal artery injury, you might be owed substantial damages, and you should speak to a lawyer. At Arfaa Law Group, our attorneys are sensitive to the significant emotional trauma and physical limitations caused by amputations, and if we represent you, we will advocate assertively on your behalf to help you seek the best outcome available possible. We frequently represent people in Baltimore, where we have an office. You can contact us through our online form or at (410) 889-1850 to set up a conference.