An endoscopy is a type of medical procedure that makes it easier for a doctor to look inside a patient’s body. While the procedure is relatively safe, a patient can suffer serious injuries if the doctor commits an error or is careless. If you have suffered a complication from an endoscopy, you will likely require additional medical attention to remedy the problem, which can be expensive and time-consuming. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our skilled Rochester medical malpractice attorneys will examine the facts of your case and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
An endoscopy is a nonsurgical medical procedure that permits a physician to look at a person’s digestive tract by using an endoscope. An endoscope is a long, thin tube with a miniature camera and light fitted at the end in order to give the doctor a detailed view inside the body. The endoscope, also commonly known as the scope, is inserted through the mouth of the patient and is used to inspect the esophagus and stomach, the abdomen or pelvis, joints, the urinary system, the large intestines, and the lungs.
If a patient needs to be sedated for an endoscope procedure, the risks associated with anesthesia include patients suffering an adverse reaction to the medication or being allergic to the medication. Other risks associated with an endoscopy include:
- Infection of the abdomen;
- Perforation of the stomach wall;
- Puncture of the blood vessel or bowel;
- Injury to the bladder;
- Complications caused by using a dirty endoscope.
You should be aware that not every adverse outcome will rise to the level of medical malpractice. Some side effects may be unavoidable and are beyond the control of any medical team. For example, a patient may suffer irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and nausea, no matter how much care the anesthesiologist used. And it is likely that your doctor warned you of these potential risks.
Instead, medical malpractice takes place when your physician causes injuries or death by failing to live up to the standards of a reasonably skilled physician in his or her specialty. Put another way, medical malpractice occurs when a physician’s error or substandard care causes injuries to a patient. For example, medical malpractice will likely have occurred if a doctor carelessly perforates a patient’s bile duct during an endoscopy, and the patient ends up suffering an infection that permanently damages his or her digestive tract.
If you or someone close to you has suffered harm after an endoscopy, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced Rochester medical malpractice attorneys can scrutinize the circumstances of your case and determine your legal rights and options. Our goal is to help you resolve your malpractice claim in the timeliest and most cost-effective manner possible. Call us today at 315-479-9000, or you can reach us online.
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