Medical malpractice lawsuits have been filed after a pediatric plastic surgeon with St. Vincent Hospital and Health Care Center in Indiana allegedly failed to provide adequate care while surgically repairing a cleft lip and palate. According to lawsuits filed in 2017 and 2018, plaintiffs claim to have undergone extensive reconstructive surgeries and will continue to suffer permanent damage as a direct result of the doctor’s negligence.
If the potential for harm was not adequately communicated to a patient or their family, or if the harm occurred as a result of negligence on the part of the doctor or other healthcare provider, then the patient and their family could be eligible to pursue compensation with the help of a medical malpractice attorney.
If you or a loved one suffered complications related to an unneeded or undocumented medical procedure, including plastic surgery, contact Attorney Group for more information about your options. We offer free, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when a patient is treated improperly or negligently by a physician, dentist, nurse, pharmacist or other health care professional. Medical malpractice is a part of tort law.
Doctors, as well as other health care professionals, have a legal responsibility to take into account any potential harm that they may cause to another person. Even if they didn’t mean to harm their patient, any negligent behavior could lead to patient injury, and those who fail to act with reasonable care could be held legally liable for their actions.
Allegations of negligent medical malpractice must prove the following:
- a duty of care was owed by the physician
- the physician violated the applicable standard of care
- the person suffered a compensable injury
- the injury was caused in fact and proximately caused by the substandard conduct
When a medical malpractice lawsuit is filed, the burden of proving these elements is on the plaintiff.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice Cases
Common types of medical malpractice cases include:
- Failure to Diagnose/Misdiagnosis
- Surgical Errors
- Premature Discharge
- Emergency Room Errors
- Medication Errors
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Wrongful Death
- Doctor/Patient Confidentiality Breaches
In general, any injury a patient incurs as a result of the treatment by a healthcare provider that falls below the standard of care could be the basis for a medical malpractice claim.
Lawsuits Claim Surgeon’s Negligence Led to Permanent Damage
Affiliated medical malpractice attorneys are investigating allegations surrounding the conduct of Dr. Jason Blocksom, a pediatric plastic surgeon practicing in Indianapolis, Indiana.
According to two lawsuits filed in October 2017 and September 2018, Dr. Blocksom allegedly failed to provide adequate care when performing plastic reconstructive surgery on two children born with a cleft lip and palate. Plaintiffs in the case claim that the doctor’s negligence led to permanent damage.
In addition to extensive reconstructive surgeries, one plaintiff claims that the doctor failed to inform them and provide documentation of an additional procedure to lengthen their child’s palate. After the surgery was performed, the child’s palate allegedly split apart, leading to permanent disfigurement, extensive speech therapy and another reconstructive surgery.
How Can an Attorney Help?
Surgical errors can involve a variety of wrongful actions, including unnecessary operations or undocumented procedures that lead to the deterioration of a patient’s health or the development of some other type of injury or harm. In some cases, surgical errors may lead to other surgical procedures which could result in further injury or harm.
Medical malpractice laws are complex, and people who suspect negligence on the part of a medical professional are encouraged to seek the counsel of a medical malpractice attorney to learn more about their options.
When negligence results in injury, an injured party suffers loss in various ways. The law allows an injured party to pursue damages to recover those losses. Common types of damages recoverable in a medical malpractice case include:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
For more information, contact Attorney Group. When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or answer questions that you might have.
There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
