Lack of Diagnosis of a Bowel Leak

Washington, D.C. Attorneys Handling Undiagnosed Bowel Leak Claims

Protecting victims with bowel perforations throughout Washington, D.C.

Every surgery carries risks. One of the more common risks is a perforated bowel. Most of the time, the doctors can fix the mistake quickly and easily. If a bowel leak is undiagnosed, however, it can have serious, even life-threatening, consequences on the patient.

Paulson & Nace, PLLC, is a family law firm of experienced medical malpractice attorneys serving Washington, D.C. We are well aware of the dangers posed by an undiagnosed and untreated bowel leak and offer comprehensive counsel to victims who are suffering. We advocate on behalf of patients in jury trials and in settlement negotiations, always fighting for what is best for our clients. If you or your family member ended up with a perforated bowel as the result of medical negligence, our family wants to hear your family’s story.

Bowel leaks can lead to serious complications

The primary concern with a bowel leak is the flow of waste products into the bloodstream. This can spread an infection and lead to sepsis. If the intestines are damaged as well, the waste products can leak into the abdominal cavity leading to a condition called peritonitis. In a perfectly healthy patient, these are serious medical emergencies; in a patient who is recovering from surgery, the results can be catastrophic. Most patients feel pain (sometimes it is excruciating), and exhibit flu-like symptoms: nausea, chills, and fever. The patients most likely to suffer from a bowel leak have usually undergone treatments for:

  • Cancer
  • diff infections
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Auto-immune diseases such as Crohn’s
  • Diverticulitis

If the bowel leak is left untreated, a patient may be forced to use a colostomy bag on a permanent basis. In the most tragic circumstances, it could lead to the wrongful death of your loved one.

Are bowel perforations always the result of medical malpractice?

No, they are not. In fact, bowel perforations are well-known complications, and if they are caught and treated quickly, a patient may recover

If, however, the bowel nick goes undiagnosed or untreated, or if an intestinal nick leads to a small bowel obstruction, that could be a sign of negligence.

Paulson & Nace knows how to build successful cases for victims of medical malpractice. We work only with authoritative sources and employ cutting-edge technology to enhance a judge’s or jury’s understanding of both the mistake and the consequences which resulted from that error. We have secured millions of dollars for our clients throughout Washington, D.C. in both trials and in settlements.

Help for malpractice victims with undiagnosed bowel leaks

When healthcare professionals fail to order the right tests, monitor their patients or perform at an acceptable level of care, they may be guilty of medical malpractice. At Paulson & Nace, PLLC, we help protect their victims. If you or your family member was not diagnosed with a bowel leak leading to a delayed course of treatment, please call 202-463-1999 or fill out our contact form.