Victims of an Unnecessary Amputation in Oregon Should Call Our Catastrophic Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Portland for Immediate Help
The loss of a limb is one of the most traumatizing personal injuries. This is a type of personal injury which causes extreme physical damages and usually carries with it debilitating emotional damages. There are also usually financial ramifications, including the need for a prosthetic or ambulatory device. The most common cause of an amputation is a traumatic injury, with infections, sepsis, and burns also becoming common causes. While many times an amputation is necessary to save the life of an innocent person, unfortunately our catastrophic medical malpractice lawyer in Portland knows that this is not always the case. An unnecessary amputation in Oregon could result in life-changing injuries all due to the reckless conduct of a medical professional.
Yes, you read that correctly. An unnecessary amputation in Oregon could cause a permanent and debilitating injury all due to the negligence of a healthcare provider. This means that a negligent doctor, surgeon, physician assistant, or other person could cause a victim to be irreparably harmed by a reckless or careless error. This is a very devastating injury that our catastrophic medical malpractice lawyer in Portland, Oregon could help protect your rights to compensation for under the law.
What is an Amputation?
An amputation is the removal of a limb or digit. An amputation could be done partially (i.e., not the entire limb) or it could be completely. A foot or hand could be partially removed, as well as fingers or toes. An amputation is commonly performed to stop an infection or prevent further damage from continuing due to the traumatic damage to the limb. An amputation severs nerves, cuts off blood vessels, and damages or removes muscles.
When is an Amputation Needed?
There are really two main situations when an amputation is required. The first is to stop the traumatic damage to the limb. This is typically when the limb is bleeding and still damaged, risking the life of the person it is attached to. If the damage is too severe to the limb which cannot be repaired before a person lives, or the limb cannot be repaired at all, victims may need to have the amputation to save their life.
The second time an amputation is typically needed is when there is significant damage to the limb which results in it being unable to fully heal. This includes the limb having extensive nerve damage or blood vessel damage which results in the limb slowly dying or becoming necrotic. Other times the limb could be severely damaged due to an infection, sepsis, gangrene, or burn injury which continues to threaten the person’s life. This is a common example of when an amputation may be needed.
When is an Amputation Typically Not Needed? Unnecessary Amputation in Oregon
An amputation is typically not needed in instances when the damage is not severe enough to threaten the life of the patient or the limb of the patient. This includes damage which may look bad, but really will heal on its own. Sometimes emergency room physicians will take one look at an injury and not attempt to repair it, especially if it is a “dirty wound.” However, the human body is amazing and can repair itself and fight against infections well, especially with antibiotics. But when a physician does not give a patient’s body the chance to do that, it can result in serious personal injuries.
Another time when an amputation is not necessary is when an infection is somewhere else in the body, but a doctor attributes the damaged limb to the cause. This can easily be medical malpractice.
Moreover, anytime that a surgeon removes a limb without a second opinion or without imaging studies, it could also be medical malpractice. Of course, if the limb is very badly damaged and the life of a patient needs to be saved, that is one exception. But if a patient’s life is not in jeopardy and an amputation occurs, it is suspicious as an unnecessary amputation in Oregon.
Call Our Catastrophic Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Portland, Oregon
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.
