Q: I had a gastric sleeve put in last year. I almost died of sepsis because of perforations in my suture line.

A: It sounds like you’ve been through a serious ordeal, and I’m sorry to hear about the complications you’ve faced. But Med Mal is not easy AT ALL - espeically if you didn't die or suffer from severe permanent injuries as a result of the procedure. If you’re considering legal action for the complications from your gastric sleeve surgery—specifically due to sepsis from perforations in your suture line—you may have a strong medical malpractice case. In Iowa, to pursue a malpractice claim, you’ll need to show that the surgeon or hospital deviated from the accepted standard of care, which caused your injuries.

Here’s what you need to do to get started:

Collect Medical Records: You’ll need to gather all your medical records from the surgery and subsequent treatments. This will provide essential evidence to show what went wrong.

Expert Medical Opinion: To prove medical malpractice, you’ll need an expert opinion from another healthcare professional stating that your surgeon or the hospital didn’t meet the standard of care, and this led to your injuries.

Statute of Limitations: In Iowa, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally two years from when you knew or should have known about the injury. Given that your surgery was last year, it's important to act quickly.

Damages: You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term health consequences you’re facing because of the complications.

If you want to pursue this, I’d highly recommend reaching out to an attorney experienced in medical malpractice, especially someone familiar with dealing with large healthcare systems like Mercy One Hospital. It’s a complex area of law, and you’ll need someone who can navigate the legal hurdles, especially when a religious institution is involved.

If you’re looking for a firm to handle your case, we can help you assess whether you have a strong claim and guide you through the process. Time is of the essence, so if you're serious about this, it’s worth connecting with an attorney soon.