James Frazier | | Medical Malpractice
If you've suffered due to a pulmonary embolism, or if a loved one has passed away as a result, it's crucial to understand your legal rights. Hospitals and doctors have a duty to properly diagnose and treat PE. When they fail, it may constitute medical malpractice. As an Orlando pulmonary embolism attorney, Paul | Knopf | Bigger is committed to helping victims and their families seek justice and compensation for the harm caused by such negligence.

Orlando Pulmonary Embolism Attorney: Seeking Justice for Victims of Medical Negligence

If you’ve suffered due to a pulmonary embolism, or if a loved one has passed away as a result, it’s crucial to understand your legal rights. Hospitals and doctors have a duty to properly diagnose and treat PE. When they fail, it may constitute medical malpractice. As an Orlando pulmonary embolism attorney, Paul | Knopf | Bigger is committed to helping victims and their families seek justice and compensation for the harm caused by such negligence. Call us now at (800) 434-4327.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition that can result from medical mistakes made by doctors and hospitals in Florida. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that PE causes around 100,000 deaths annually in the United States, with nearly 900,000 people suffering serious injuries. Shockingly, about one-fourth of PE victims die suddenly without showing any prior symptoms, while one-third pass away within a month of being diagnosed. Survivors may suffer permanent damage to the brain or heart, forever altering their lives.

Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot, typically from the deep veins of the legs (known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT), travels through the bloodstream and lodges in the lungs' pulmonary arteries. This can block oxygenated blood from returning to the heart, leading to severe consequences such as heart attack, stroke, brain damage, or even death. In many cases, PE is preventable with proper medical care.

Understanding Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot, typically from the deep veins of the legs (known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT), travels through the bloodstream and lodges in the lungs’ pulmonary arteries. This can block oxygenated blood from returning to the heart, leading to severe consequences such as heart attack, stroke, brain damage, or even death. In many cases, PE is preventable with proper medical care.

Common causes of PE include immobilization for an extended period, such as after surgery, due to paralysis, or in a coma. Other risk factors include obesity, advanced age, smoking, and a family history of blood clots. Hospitals must be proactive in preventing PE, especially in high-risk patients.

Causes and Prevention of Pulmonary Embolism in Hospitals

PE is most commonly caused by blood clots, especially in patients who have been immobile for long periods. This immobility can be due to:

  • Surgery Recovery: Patients are often bedridden after major surgery, which increases the risk of blood clots forming.
  • Paralysis or Coma: Paralysis, whether temporary or permanent, significantly increases the likelihood of DVT.
  • Age and Obesity: Older adults and those with obesity are also at higher risk of developing clots that can lead to PE.

Hospitals have a responsibility to mitigate these risks. They must regularly reposition immobile patients and provide blood-thinning medications when appropriate. In surgical patients, hospitals should promote mobility as soon as possible to lower the risk of clot formation. Failure to take these simple preventive steps may result in medical negligence.

Unfortunately, PE often goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed, leading to preventable injuries or deaths. The symptoms of PE are often mistaken for less serious conditions, such as respiratory infections or chronic diseases. Common symptoms include:

Negligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism

Unfortunately, PE often goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed, leading to preventable injuries or deaths. The symptoms of PE are often mistaken for less serious conditions, such as respiratory infections or chronic diseases. Common symptoms include:

  • Coughing
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

Doctors and hospital staff may dismiss these signs, attributing them to bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, when these symptoms occur in a high-risk patient, PE should always be considered. Proper diagnostic tests, such as spiral CT scans, should be performed to detect clots. Misdiagnosis or failure to order the appropriate tests can have fatal consequences. If you have immediate questions, give us a call at (800) 434-4327.

When Does Medical Medical Malpractice Occur in Pulmonary Embolism Cases

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to provide the standard of care expected in similar circumstances, resulting in harm to the patient. In cases involving PE, malpractice may arise when:

  • Failure to Diagnose: If a doctor fails to recognize the symptoms of PE or does not order the proper tests, they may be liable for any harm caused.
  • Failure to Prevent: Hospitals and nursing homes have a duty to prevent PE in high-risk patients through regular repositioning, administering anticoagulants, and encouraging early mobility post-surgery.
  • Medication Errors: Failing to provide blood thinners or incorrectly administering them can lead to clot formation and subsequent PE.

When these medical errors occur, patients and their families may have grounds for a malpractice claim. An Orlando pulmonary embolism attorney can investigate the case, gather evidence, and help victims seek compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to provide the standard of care expected in similar circumstances, resulting in harm to the patient. In cases involving PE, malpractice may arise when:

Seeking Justice for Pulmonary Embolism Victims in Orlando

If you or a loved one has suffered harm from a pulmonary embolism in an Orlando hospital, it’s important to act quickly. Medical malpractice claims are subject to strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, which limit the time you have to file a lawsuit. Contacting an experienced Orlando pulmonary embolism attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue justice for the negligence that caused harm.

Our legal team is dedicated to uncovering medical mistakes and holding hospitals and healthcare providers accountable. We offer free consultations to evaluate your case and determine if medical malpractice contributed to your injury or loss. Don’t wait—reach out today for a no-obligation review of your case.

Pulmonary embolism is a serious medical condition that requires timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment. When hospitals and healthcare providers fail to meet this standard, the results can be devastating.

David Paul | Andrew Knopf | Brent Bigger of Paul | Knopf | Bigger - Offices in Orlando and Tampa, Florida

Contact an Orlando Pulmonary Embolism Attorney at Paul | Knopf | Bigger

If you believe you or a loved one has suffered due to medical negligence involving PE, you deserve to seek justice and compensation. An experienced Orlando pulmonary embolism attorney at Paul | Knopf | Bigger can help you navigate the legal process and hold negligent parties accountable for the harm caused. Don’t face this battle alone—contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options.   Call us now at (800) 434-4327.  Or, complete our free consultation form.

As an Orlando pulmonary embolism attorney, Paul | Knopf | Bigger is committed to helping victims and their families seek justice and compensation for the harm caused by such negligence.

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