When a patient is seriously ill, they may not be able to eat food. In such cases, feeding tubes may be needed to provide sustenance to the patient. If you or someone close to you has been injured due to a feeding tube error, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our skilled Rochester medical malpractice attorneys can meticulously analyze the facts of your case and help you determine your legal options.
Every day, medical instruments are used to help medical professionals in completing their jobs properly. Feeding tubes are used for patients who struggle with eating and suffer from conditions that limit their ability to chew, swallow, and digest food. Although the placement of feeding tubes is a relatively simply surgical procedure, as suggested by the Mayo Clinic, it should only be used for patients who have no other option when it comes to receiving nutrients. Patients in long-term facilities and nursing homes routinely use tube feeding as a way to feed patients. Many hospitalized patients in the United States also receive tube feeding. According to the National Center for Health Statistics’ latest figures, patients received tube feeding in approximately 245,000 hospital stays.
Feeding tube malpractice can occur in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
- Improper insertion or placement of a feeding tube;
- Improper sanitation of the feeding tube;
- Failure to properly clean the incision site regularly;
- Medical staff not being trained to handle the feeding tube; or
- Failure to monitor the tube for any changes.
The effect of a medical tubing mistake can differ depending on the type of error it is and how quickly it was remedied. In New York, if you have been injured due to a feeding tube error, you will likely be able to recover compensation through a medical malpractice claim. Medical malpractice is the legal term used to refer to a health care provider’s failure to follow the accepted standards of care for their profession, resulting in patient harm. Put another way, medical malpractice takes place when a medical professional deviates from the level of care that another medical professional in good standing would have used under the same or similar circumstances.
After a feeding tube injury, a patient may be able to recover a variety of items, such as medical costs, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, disability, lost wages, and any other losses stemming from the injury. Every case is different, and the exact amount of compensation a plaintiff will be entitled to receive will depend on the specifics of the case.
When a medical professional improperly inserts or manages a feeding tube, the consequences can be devastating. If you believe you suffered harm due to feeding tube malpractice, you need to speak to a seasoned Rochester hospital malpractice lawyer who can assess the merits of your case. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we are committed to advocating for your rights at every step of the way. We are here to answer your questions and address your concerns. To schedule a consultation with us, call us at 315-479-9000, or you can reach us online.
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Premature Discharge from Hospitals in Rochester and Across New York, Rochester Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Blog, January 25, 2017
Medical Malpractice Claims for Sepsis in Rochester, Rochester Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Blog, January 22, 2017
Spinal Epidural Abscess Malpractice in Rochester, Rochester Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Blog, January 19, 2017