Gastrointestinal Perforations
All cases of medical negligence and doctor error need to be taken seriously. In the case of gastrointestinal perforations, they also need to be dealt with urgently. If such an injury is sustained, the problem needs to be addressed right away. Failure to do so can result in the loss of limbs and even death. Our team of Ogden medical malpractice attorneys understands just how dire such a medical problem will be, especially when it is caused or left unaddressed by a medical professional.
What are gastrointestinal perforations?
Gastrointestinal perforations refer to punctures in the gastrointestinal tract. This includes punctures of:
- The stomach
- The gallbladder
- The small intestines
- The large intestines
When these organs are punctured, their contents leak into a person's abdominal cavity. This leakage into the abdominal cavity results in serious inflammation called peritonitis. The puncture can also result in sepsis, a situation in which bacteria from the bowel enters a patient's bloodstream.
Common Causes of Gastrointestinal Perforations
The most common causes of gastrointestinal perforations include:
- Serious injuries to the abdominal area
- Crohn's disease
- Appendicitis
- Colon cancer
- Gastric ulcers
- Obstructions in the bowel
Gastrointestinal perforations can also be caused by surgical mistakes or issues with recovery following a gastrointestinal surgery. Our medical malpractice lawyers in Utah will note the cause of a client's gastrointestinal perforation when determining the viability of the case.
Signs of Gastrointestinal Perforations
The most common signs of gastrointestinal perforations include:
- Stomach and abdominal pain
- Breathing problems
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Fever
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Nausea
If you should notice any of these symptoms, be sure to seek medical attention right away.
Medical Errors and Gastrointestinal Perforations
While there are a number of causes of gastrointestinal perforations, the ones we find especially serious are the ones that are the result of surgical mistakes and doctor errors. During surgeries on the abdominal area and gastrointestinal tract, surgeons may accidentally cut into the organs, leading to leakage into the abdominal region. In addition, sutures and stitches may come undone following a surgery on the abdominal area, causing perforations to occur.
Also serious are cases of misdiagnosis regarding gastrointestinal perforations. If a patient comes to a doctor exhibiting possible signs of bowel perforations, the proper x-rays and scans need to be performed immediately to ensure the patient's health problem is corrected through surgery. Failure to diagnose the problem can literally mean the difference between life and death.
Weighing Your Legal Options
Whether the gastrointestinal perforation was the result of a surgical error or a medical emergency that went undiagnosed, it's important that victims and their loved ones seek Ogden medical negligence settlements. Doctors need to be held to high standards off care, otherwise these incident may happen again in the future. Your pain and suffering should never be cast aside, especially when it comes to medical care.
Because gastrointestinal perforations can result in death, our legal team will be sure to fight on the behalf of the deceased's loved ones to make sure that they are compensated following this tragic loss.
Learn More About All of Your Legal Options
If you would like more information about your legal options following serious medical mistakes and doctor errors, be sure to contact our Salt Lake City medical negligence lawyers today. Our entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you receive just compensation for any pain, suffering, and other losses.
