Baltimore Pulmonary Embolism Malpractice Lawyers

Attorneys for Misdiagnosis of Pulmonary Embolisms in Baltimore, MD

A pulmonary embolism may occur due to the blockage of a blood vessel, such as an artery in the lung, caused by a blood clot. In a majority of cases, the clots are small and do not result in any damage. However, if the clot is larger and blocks the flow of blood to the lung, it can cause catastrophic consequences, including death. If doctors fail to diagnose this condition, patients can suffer serious harm, or wrongful death may occur.

Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism

The symptoms that will usually indicate that a person has a pulmonary embolism include shortness of breath and chest pain that gets worse as a person breathes or coughs. Other symptoms may include a high level of perspiration, feelings of lightheadedness, fainting, an increased heart rate, palpitations of the heart, and anxiety.

When blood clots become lodged in blood vessels, more often than not, they do not come directly from the lung or the heart. In most cases, pieces of blood clots will break away from larger clots in the legs or abdomen, and they will travel through the bloodstream until they reach the lungs.

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the common preventable causes of hospital deaths in America. Health care providers are trained to identify risk factors for PE, such as pregnancy, prolonged immobility, hospitalization, major surgery, admission to ICUs, being 60 years of age or older, cancer, obesity, smoking, prior history of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis, or other certain medical conditions.

Monitoring and Treatment for Pulmonary Embolism

Doctors and hospitals typically will prescribe anti-coagulants (blood thinners) to prevent pulmonary embolism. The use of anticoagulants alone, however, is insufficient to protect all patients from pulmonary embolism. Doctors must monitor patients for signs of developing clots in the legs (known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT). Those signs include pain, swelling, warmth, and redness of the calf or thigh, especially if just in one leg.

Deaths from a pulmonary embolism are often sudden. Despite the suddenness of the ultimate event, these deaths are easily preventable if careful monitoring and treatment are used for all at-risk patients.

In order to hold a doctor or hospital liable for medical malpractice in a case where a patient has been injured or died following a pulmonary embolism, a plaintiff typically must show that the doctor failed to recognize clear signs and symptoms of either DVT or PE and/or failed to timely treat them. This requires a careful analysis of the patient's medical records and recorded complaints or observations noted in their medical chart regarding their condition.

Contact Our Baltimore, Maryland Pulmonary Embolism Misdiagnosis Attorneys

When medical malpractice related to a pulmonary embolism has led to an injury or the death of a patient, the team at Silverman Thompson can provide legal representation for the victim and their family. Attorneys Andrew G. Slutkin and Ethan S. Nochumowitz know how to handle these cases. We have helped numerous injury victims recover financial compensation for injuries caused by medical malpractice. To learn how our team can help you, contact our Baltimore pulmonary embolism misdiagnosis lawyers at 410-385-2225 and schedule a free consultation.