Ashley Milano  |  July 6, 2015

Category: Consumer News

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wrongful death lawsuitA wrongful death lawsuit filed against Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, Texas claims that a 23-year-old mother died as a result of a pulmonary embolism brought about by dangerous blood clots. Surviving family members who are suing for wrongful death claim the young woman’s death was caused by the formation of clots in her lungs due to inadequate medical care and medical negligence. The medical center has denied the malpractice claims and has demanded proof of the allegations.

Allegations of Medical Malpractice

The decedent’s experience began after she gave birth via C-section over two years ago. Following the surgery, Natalia S. had to return to the hospital because her C-section incision was infected. According to the young woman’s sisters, during this hospital stay she was diagnosed with a dangerous staph infection called MRSA. The infection, which involves bacteria resistant to certain drugs, manifests as abscesses or boils on the patient’s skin.

About seven months after having her baby, Natalia returned to the hospital again for an abscess in her neck. She received surgery on her spine from a doctor trained as an ear, nose and throat specialist. She emerged from that hospital stay a quadriplegic because, according to her family, the doctor was negligent and compromised the medulla oblongata pons.

The wrongful death lawsuit claims Natalia eventually lost weight, became dehydrated, developed blood clots in her lungs and ultimately suffered a deadly pulmonary embolism.

What is Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death is generally not a purposeful killing of another, but rather an accidental death that stems from negligence or recklessness. In the medical setting, a wrongful death may result from a single medical mistake, such as an anesthesia error, the misdiagnosis of a fatal condition or a pattern of medical malpractice over time.

Medical malpractice can take a variety of forms, but the most devastating is when malpractice results in a fatal accident or worsening of a patient’s condition. Since patients usually have a high level of trust in their doctors, malpractice can be shocking as well as damaging. The physical and emotional damages from a malpractice incident can be extensive, even more so when the malpractice leads to an untimely death.

What some may not realize about wrongful death is that it doesn’t involve only death resulting from one specific incident – for instance, a fatal surgical error. A wrongful death malpractice case can also arise from the ongoing mismanagement of a patient’s condition or an initial misdiagnosis of a fatal condition.

Mismanagement, for example, can be the end product of any number of factors, from a mistake in a laboratory or a patient’s chart to a lapse in communication. It can also stem from a combination of errors made by various medical professionals.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits

A wrongful death in a hospital setting is often an avoidable incident of negligence. It’s crucial that the doctors who perform surgeries of any kind are properly trained in surgical procedures and the treatment of any complications afterwards.

While no amount of financial payment can ever compensate for the loss of a loved one, being financially secure in your future and the comfort of responsible parties being brought to justice can provide a sense of closure and security to survivors. Family members who file a successful wrongful death lawsuit, proving the fatality was the result of medical malpractice can sometimes be awarded very large settlements in damages.

If a loved one has suffered a wrongful death, you may qualify for wrongful death damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible wrongful death lawsuit.

Obtain a Free Wrongful Death Case Evaluation

If your loved one died from a personal injury caused by the negligence or intentional misconduct of another party, you may be able to pursue compensation for your loss, including but not limited to: medical or funeral expenses, loss of financial support, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and punitive damages.

The following types of wrongful death cases are common examples of what a family member can sue for:

  • Car Accidents
  • Bicycle or Pedestrian Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Boating Accidents
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Medication Errors
  • Workplace Accidents
  • Drowning Accidents
  • Nursing Home Neglect/Abuse
  • Slip and Fall Accidents
  • Defective Products
  • Other Personal Injury Claims that Caused the Death
In general, most cases have to be filed within four years, or less, of the death or injury. If you wait too long to contact an attorney you may lose your right to file suit.

 

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