Spinal cord injuries are daunting and life-altering, affecting about 2,000 people yearly in Florida. These injuries often occur in cities and tourist areas due to a variety of accidents. Additionally, a significant number of these injuries happen because of medical procedures in the state’s healthcare facilities.
Spinal cord injuries are serious and attract attention from healthcare workers, medical malpractice attorneys, and patient advocates. These injuries often lead to significant compensation claims, particularly if caused by medical procedures.
If you have been the victim of a spinal injury from medical treatment, contact a Florida medical malpractice attorney to check if you have a valid claim. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein we provide expert guidance in all types of medical malpractice and we handle each claim with experience and care. Call us at 305-371-2692, or schedule a free consultation online.
Spinal Injuries From Medical Malpractice: A Growing Problem
Medical procedures have become the sixth leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the US, and the number is increasing. The spinal injuries from medical complications have been rising steadily in the US for the last decade.
Source: National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center
The rise in medical issues is due to an aging population, more complex medical procedures, and various forms of negligence, raising concerns about training protocols, new medical techniques, and patient care quality.
How Do Medical Procedures Cause Spinal Injuries?
The spine is a complex structure of nerves, vertebrae, and supporting tissues that are extremely sensitive and vulnerable to damage. In a healthcare setting, the spine can come to harm for a variety of causes:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed treatment that leads to worsening conditions or permanent nerve damage.
- Inaccurate or no imaging leads to diagnostic errors.
- Spinal injections that cause infections or nerve damage.
- High-risk spinal surgeries, potentially lead to paralysis, loss of sensation, or pain.
- Chiropractic treatments leading to spinal cord damage or vertebral artery dissection.
Malpractice is a Common Cause of Spinal Cord Injuries
Many spinal cord injuries involve a degree of negligence on behalf of the healthcare provider. Spinal cord injuries account for a major share of medical malpractice litigation in the US.
Medical malpractice happens when a healthcare professional doesn’t follow standard care practices, causing harm or injury to a patient. This can involve:
- Delay or failure in diagnosing or treating a medical condition.
- Doing a risky medical procedure when the risks to the patient did not warrant the potential gains.
- Failure to perform a medical procedure safely or as per best practices.
- Carrying out a medical procedure on the wrong part of the spine.
- Administrating anesthesia incorrectly.
- Failure to properly monitor a patient’s condition post-surgery.
However, bear in mind that some spinal injuries in healthcare are due to accidents or bad luck, where the doctor or healthcare facility might not be at fault.
Rights to Compensation Following a Spinal Cord Injury
If a spinal cord injury is due to misfortune, victims usually seek compensation through their insurance, covering medical and rehab costs. Sometimes insurance schemes also offer limited income replacement or disability benefits. Federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits may also apply if the victim has contributed to the scheme.
However, if the healthcare provider is negligent, the victim can file a medical malpractice claim for compensation. The median value of a lawsuit ranges from 750,000 for lower back injuries to $1.9 million for upper back injuries.
Medical malpractice lawsuits can reimburse victims for:
- Both current and future medical costs from the injury.
- For missed work and any future earning limitations.
- Damages for physical and emotional distress.
- Impact on hobbies and activities.
- Punitive Damages in case of extreme negligence to punish and prevent similar actions.
The Role of a Medical Malpractice Attorney Following Spinal Injury
To succeed in a spinal injury medical malpractice case, you need to prove that the healthcare provider did not meet their care standards and caused the injury. This can be complex, so it’s important to have a skilled medical malpractice attorney familiar with medical practices.
Spinal injuries can change lives, needing long-term care and being expensive. If you or someone you know has suffered a spinal injury from medical malpractice, you should get a medical malpractice attorney to help get the compensation you deserve.
Let us represent you
Trust a Florida medical malpractice attorney at Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein to bring your case to law. With more than $1 billion in settlements and trial verdicts, our case results are a testament to our expertise. Call us today at 305-371-2692, or schedule a free consultation online. From our office in Miami, we serve clients throughout Florida.