Deep Vein Thrombosis Injuries

If you suspect that you or someone you love suffered an injury because of a medical professional’s failure to diagnose or treat your deep vein thrombosis properly, a skilled and trusted Baltimore medical malpractice attorney can potentially help you pursue damages. At Arfaa Law Group, we understand how devastating medical injuries can be, and how a compassionate yet assertive legal team can make a world of a difference in your case.

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot occurring in the deep vein within a person’s leg, most often in the thigh or lower leg. DVT sometimes occurs without any noticeable symptoms. It can, however, be potentially fatal if a big blood clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs stopping blood flow to the organ, a condition known as a pulmonary embolism (PE). Put another way, a pulmonary embolism refers to the sudden blockage of a major blood vessel in the lung.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established that DVT acquired in hospitals and PE as being among nine conditions that should be preventable in almost 40 percent of all cases. While the CDC report focuses on hospital acquired DVT/PE, the reality is that the vast majority forms of DVT can be managed and prevented. Medical professionals are trained to recognize a wide range of conditions and situations that can increase the likelihood of DVT. In addition, doctors can order tests that show the existence of blood clots, which can indicate DVT. If DVT is present, the doctor’s focus must be to prevent the blood clot from reaching the lungs.

Correct diagnosis and treatment of DVT is vital. If you believe you were harmed because DVT was negligently diagnosed or treated, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim against the at-fault party. Medical malpractice takes place when a medical professional causes the injury or death of a patient by failing to adhere to the generally accepted standard of care. The standard of care refers to the level of skill and care that a medical professional practicing the same branch of medicine would have used under the same circumstances. To win a medical malpractice case, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff to establish the following elements:

• The medical professional owed the patient a duty to adhere to a certain standard of care;
• The medical professional’s conduct deviated from that standard of care;
• The medical professional’s deviation was a direct cause of DVT or PE; and
• The DVT or PE led to compensable injuries (i.e., medical bills, lost wages, etc.).

In Maryland, the standard of care must be established by an expert who will take a number of factors into account such as the patient’s age, gender, risk factors and medical history when evaluating the case. The expert will need to testify as to the appropriate standard of care in a given case and how the defendant breached that standard, causing direct harm to the patient in the form of deep vein thrombosis injuries. A seasoned medical negligence lawyer can help you identify such an expert to testify in your case.

Sadly, when medical mistakes take place, the victim and his or her family are left to deal with the financial consequences of the error. Fortunately, Maryland law allows victims of malpractice to recover a wide range of damages including, but not limited to: medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs and more.

Medical malpractice related to deep vein thrombosis injuries can lead to serious and long-term harm. If you believe you or someone close to you has been the victim of such malpractice, you may be eligible for compensation. At Arfaa Law Group, our seasoned medical negligence lawyers understand that you are stressed and maybe even emotionally exhausted, which is why we are committed to supporting you through the complex legal process with the utmost compassion. We have represented countless clients in Baltimore and across Maryland, and may be able to represent you as well. For a free case evaluation, please call us today at 410-889-1850 or contact us online.