Failure to Diagnose a Perforated Bowel or Bowel Leakage
Medical malpractice attorneys protect West Virginians whose doctors fail to recognize life-threatening conditions
A perforated bowel, or gastrointestinal perforation, is a hole that develops through the wall of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large bowel, rectum, or gallbladder. This condition is a medical emergency. Depending on the extent of the damage, parts of the bowel may have to be removed, necessitating a temporary or permanent colostomy. Failure to identify and treat a perforation timely may, if the patient survives at all, require removal of considerably larger infected portions of the bowel and lifelong use of colostomy apparatus.
Paulson & Nace, PLLC, is a family-owned and managed medical malpractice law firm. Our West Virginia medical malpractice attorneys advocate on behalf of individuals who suffer injury or death when a medical professional fails to diagnose or properly treat a medical emergency, such as a perforated bowel and associated leakage. Count on our family to help yours when you or a loved one has been injured by medical negligence.
Recognizing causes and symptoms of bowel perforations and leakages
Symptoms of bowel perforation and bowel leakage include chills, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and nausea. Causes include:
- Appendicitis
- Cancer
- Crohn's Disease
- Diverticulitis
- Gall bladder disease
- Peptic ulcers
- Ulcerative colitis
- Errors during open or laparoscopic surgery of the abdomen
- Blunt force trauma and puncture wounds involving the abdominal area
When a patient presents these symptoms and his or her medical history discloses any of the possible causes, common medical tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and white blood count can verify the condition. When investigating a potential charge of medical malpractice, our West Virginia attorneys take all this evidence into account.
The dangers of undiagnosed bowel perforations and leakages
Depending on its location, a perforation anywhere in the digestive tract can allow bacteria, food, or fecal matter to leak into the abdominal cavity. This is considered a medical emergency since it can lead to localized tissue damage and infection, peritonitis, sepsis and death. Recognition and treatment of a perforation can permit its closure with less chance of complications, depending on the amount of time between the patient’s sustaining the injury and the time of its diagnosis and treatment. While the danger of infection and peritonitis exist even if surgery is performed timely, the overall risks are lessened. This is because the damage usually involves smaller areas, surgery is simpler, and the progress of infection is curtailed. Ask a West Virginia medical malpractice lawyer for help if you suspect you have been wrongfully harmed by a medical misdiagnosis.
Paulson & Nace advocates for West Virginians victimized by medical neglect
If you or a loved one was injured because of a hospital’s or medical professional’s failure to accurately diagnose and properly treat a medical emergency, such as a perforated or leaking bowel, let us be your advocate. Paulson & Nace, PLLC’s distinguished family of medical malpractice attorneys offers the compassionate, personal and professional attention you deserve. We are widely recognized throughout West Virginia for both our comprehensive legal services and our aggressive advocacy for victims of missed or incorrect diagnosis. When you choose a qualified medical malpractice lawyer from our practice to represent you, you are choosing a team that values families and family relationships. Please call 304-741-8079 or fill out our contact form to tell us your story in a no-obligation consultation. Our office is located at 3501 Maccorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304.
We have dedicated our lives to helping medical malpractice victims. Now, let our family help you and yours.