Can I file a medical negligence case if I had a pulmonary embolism after I was refused preventative treatment?
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Can I file a medical negligence case if I had a pulmonary embolism after I was refused preventative treatment?
I had 3 risk factors: 2 inherited thrombophilias, family history and obesity. I asked to be put on Warfarin, aspirin…anything to reduce my risk. I was told in his opinion it was unlikely I would ever suffer a clot so he would wait until I had one to treat me. Then 2 years later, I suffered a PE and numerous complications. Having a PE so young (21) will always affect me in endless economic and physical ways.
Asked on February 24, 2015 under Malpractice Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
Medical malpractice is negligence. Negligence is the failure to exercise due care (that degree of care that a reasonable medical practitioner in the community would have exercised under the same or similar circumstances to prevent foreseeable harm).
It would be advisable to have your medical records reviewed by another doctor. If that second doctor writes a report supporting a malpractice claim against the first doctor, proceed with the case.
It may be possible to settle the case with the first doctor's malpractice insurance carrier without filing a lawsuit. Your claim filed with the malpractice insurance carrier should include your medical bills, medical reports (especially the report from the second doctor) and documentation of any wage loss.
Compensation for the medical bills is straight reimbursement. The medical reports will document the nature and extent of your condition/illness and will be used to determine compensation for pain and suffering which is an amount in addition to the medical bills. Compensation for wage loss is straight reimbursement.
If the case is settled with the first doctor's malpractice insurance carrier, NO lawsuit is filed.
If you are dissatisfied with settlement offers from the first doctor's malpractice insurance carrier, reject the settlement offers and file a lawsuit for negligence against the first doctor.
If the case is NOT settled with the first doctor's malpractice insurance carrier, your lawsuit for negligence must be filed prior to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or you will lose your rights forever in the matter.
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