More than a decade after an Indiana man was paralyzed as the result of an undiagnosed infection, a local court awarded him and his spouse upwards of $4 million in damages.
According to court documents, the victim, Robert Lehman, was injured on the job in 2005 and sought medical treatment at Dunlap Urgent Care Center – a clinic that has since closed – where he received a shot before being sent back to work. However, Lehman soon found his condition worsening, before it reached the point where he could barely walk. After seeking medical help from the clinic a second time, Lehman was sent back to work once more.
Eventually, Lehman’s condition deteriorated to the point that he was admitted to the emergency room at Indiana University Health Goshen Hospital. Doctors there diagnosed him with Cauda Equina Syndrome – a rare condition that affects the spinal nerve roots.
The disease requires fast treatment, in order to prevent permanent damage. Failure to address the condition can lead to paralysis in the legs – the very disability that Lehman has been living with.
Medical Malpractice Personal Injury
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), more than 22 million Americans have at least one family member who has been the victim of medical malpractice in a U.S. hospital or other medical facility. Unfortunately, these are no small mistakes. In fact, estimates from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimate that anywhere between 44,000 and 98,000 patients lose their lives each year across the country due to malpractice.
That is a significant figure, when you consider that malpractice claims more U.S. lives than breast cancer or AIDS.
Typically, medical malpractice centers on one key factor – negligence – specifically, the negligence of medical professionals, such as:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Surgeons
- Lab technicians
- Administrative staff in a hospital or medical center
- Other designated medical staff
When medical professionals are reckless or careless, it can carry dire consequences, including:
- Cerebral palsy
- Paraplegia or quadriplegia
- Amputation or limb loss
- Wrongful death
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, it is important to know that you are not alone, and there are legal options that can assist with the recovery of compensation or other damages. Only a qualified Las Vegas medical malpractice attorney can evaluate your malpractice claim and recommend a course of action that protects your interests, both now and well into the future.
Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Nevada
That’s where the skilled legal team at Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen comes in. Throughout Las Vegas and the other communities in Nevada, our team advocates on behalf of personal injury victims, including those who have been victims of medical malpractice. We take great pride in helping those struggling with personal injury, and are committed to working with you and your loved ones to recover the compensation and damages you deserve.
As a convenience to prospective clients, we are happy to offer a free initial consultation, to help assess your claim and strategize a course of action.
To schedule an appointment with a member of our legal team today, contact Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen at (702) 505-8115.