Cervical Fusion Errors: Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Understanding Cervical Fusion Errors from our Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers

One of the most invasive surgical procedures is a spinal fusion. Spinal fusion surgeries involve immobilizing two or more vertebrae by removing a portion of a disc and inserting cement or spacers in its place. Rods are then drilled into the side of each vertebrae, which are then tightened to create a permanent restriction on the range of motion. A cervical fusion is a spinal fusion in the neck. This type of spinal fusion results in a reduced range of motion while performing daily activities, including driving a car, performing household chores, and daily hygiene. Our Oregon medical malpractice lawyers know that most cervical fusion surgeries are performed successfully. However, some cervical fusion errors could occur during these surgeries that result in catastrophic personal injuries, including quadriplegia and paraplegia.

If you or a loved one suffered any type of paralysis after a spinal fusion surgery, especially a cervical fusion, you may have rights under Oregon law. These rights include a right to compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, lost future earnings from being unable to return to the same line of work, loss of society, and many other injuries or damages related to the Oregon medical malpractice. Ask our Oregon medical malpractice lawyers how to protect your rights to compensation today.

What is a Spinal Cord Injury? 

A spinal cord injury, also known as SCI, is a type of paralysis affecting the central nervous system. The central nervous system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord is the messenger super highway between the brain and the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is the series of nerves which extend from the spinal column and travel to the tips of your fingers and your toes. Information from the peripheral nervous system travels up the spinal cord and to the brain which processes the information and sends messages back. These messages interpret sensation, dictate movement, and perform other functions of the other parts of the body governed by that particular peripheral nerve cluster.

A spinal cord injury creates a gap in the communication line between the peripheral nervous system and the brain. There are two types of spinal cord injuries which could affect the way messages are processed or sent to the brain. The first type is a partial or incomplete spinal cord injury. This type of spinal cord injury causes a decrease in sensation, function, or other motor movements. However, an impartial spinal cord injury usually does not sever the chain of communication from the peripheral nervous system to the brain.

The second type of spinal cord injury is a total or complete severance. This type of spinal cord injury completely shuts off the line of communication between the peripheral nervous system and the brain. This means that no messages regarding sensation, movement, or other functions will be received or processed by the brain. This results in a complete paralysis below the injury location.

Common Causes of Oregon Medical Malpractice Caused by Cervical Fusion Errors

There are many ways how Oregon medical malpractice during a spinal fusion could result in serious personal injury such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. Errors with a cervical fusion surgery are likely to result in quadriplegia which affects all four limbs and part of the torso. This is because the cervical vertebrae are high up on the spinal cord, which means more of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system are disconnected from the brain.

Some of the common causes of cervical fusion errors due to medical malpractice in Oregon include the following:

  • Perfusion errors
  • Improper angle of the drill
  • Improper removal of disc
  • Improper insertion of pedicle screws
  • Excessive tightening of hardware
  • Wrong site surgery
  • Improperly removing calcified discs, and many more causes.

Permanent Disability from Cervical Fusion Errors 

When a healthcare provider causes irreversible surgical errors to the spinal cord it can result in catastrophic personal injuries to an innocent person. This includes partial or total loss of all four limbs and part of the torso. Due to the disability caused by cervical fusion errors, a person may be unable to perform his or her usual and customary activities. Such activities include going to work, caring for children, caring for elderly family members, performing household chores, and other daily and routine activities.

Due to such disability, individuals may be entitled to compensation for the following:

  • At home medical assistance
  • Mobility assistance equipment
  • Vehicle modifications
  • House modifications
  • Reasonable modifications at work
  • Physical therapy, occupational therapy, or vocational therapy
  • Future surgeries
  • Medications
  • Nursing home care, and
  • Any other services or needs to remedy the paralysis causes by medical errors.

Cervical fusions that Cause Paralysis Should be Reviewed by our Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.

Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.

For a free case evaluation

Call

(541) 385-1999 in Bend, Oregon
(503) 479-3646 in Portland, Oregon
(612) 444-3374 in Minnesota

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