Falls, acts of violence, and motor vehicle accidents are common circumstances that lead to spinal cord injuries. Discussed less often are the ways that medical malpractice can lead to these severe and potentially disabling injuries.
The actions of doctors, surgeons, and nursing staff alike can all cause you or a loved one to sustain an injury to your spinal cord. When this happens, a Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyer can help you recover fair and reasonable compensation for your injuries.
Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
Not all back injuries impact the spinal cord in the same way. A slip and fall accident or sports injury may not affect the spinal cord at all. You may only notice soreness or aches around the site of the injury.
Spinal cord injuries are different in that they do not just impact the muscles of the back but, rather, injure the bundle of nerves that runs down your spine as well. This bundle, known as the spinal cord, is responsible for transmitting signals from your brain to the various parts and organs of the body.
Thus, in addition to the pain associated with a back injury, spinal cord injuries can lead to:
- Pain that radiates from the spine out to the arms, legs, or other parts of the back
- Loss of sensation in your arms and legs
- Difficulty walking or using your arms and legs
- Inability to control your bowels or bladder
You can also develop vision difficulties, headaches, and pain while sitting, standing, or walking if your spinal cord has been damaged.
California Medical Malpractice Defined
Under California law, medical malpractice is defined as negligent care that a medical professional provides to you or your loved one. Negligent care is defined as unreasonably deficient medical care and treatment that no other reasonable professional in similar circumstances would have provided to you.
A malpractice claim alleges you or your loved one suffered an injury or harm because of negligent care.
3 Ways Your Doctor Can Negligently Cause a Spinal Cord Injury
Your doctor, surgeon, and nurse all have specialized training meant to allow them to provide helpful care that enhances your health and well-being. If these professionals are not paying careful attention to what they are doing, they can damage your spinal cord and the nerves that comprise it. Several ways this can happen include:
Failure to Diagnose
A doctor who fails to diagnose a spinal cord injury that should have been easily caught can cause significant damage despite doing nothing at all. Any condition that affects the nervous system needs a prompt diagnosis and treatment. This prevents the condition from worsening.
However, treatment cannot begin until your doctor diagnoses your spinal cord injury. An unreasonable delay in making this diagnosis could be grounds for a medical malpractice suit.
Injury During Surgery
Next, your surgeon could inadvertently injure your spinal cord during back surgery. If the surgeon is not careful about your positioning on the operating table, they could carelessly cause injury to your spinal cord during the procedure.
Improper administration or monitoring of anesthesia can also lead to a blood clot that can injure the spinal cord.
Unintentional Injury
Just because you are a hospital patient does not mean you are immune from slips, trips, and falls. Suppose the nursing staff is attempting to reposition or move you from one location to another. If they do not properly support you during these movements, you could fall or otherwise injure your spinal cord.
Alternatively, a chiropractor or other medical professional attempting to manipulate your spine can inadvertently cause spinal cord damage.
Do not think that just because you are in the hands of medical professionals, your spinal cord cannot be injured. Talk with an experienced Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyer immediately if you suspect or know your spinal cord was damaged following a doctor’s visit or hospital stay.
Contact Your Los Angeles Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Consult with The Trial Law Offices of Bradley I. Kramer, M.D., Esq. and our Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyer if you believe you sustained damage to your spinal cord at the hands of your doctor or other medical professional.
As a licensed doctor and attorney, Dr. Kramer is well-suited to review your medical records and determine whether your care led to your injury.
Where your doctor, surgeon, nurse, or other professional has hurt you, your Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyer can advise you of your legal rights and help you take action.
Contact The Trial Law Offices of Bradley I. Kramer, M.D., Esq. today.