Ontario, CA asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California

Q: I am not sure if I have a case

I had a saddle pulmonary embolism right after knee surgery every Dr there stated why I didn’t receive a blood thinner after surgery. The size of the embolism was the size of a chop stick ranging from my right lung arteries to my left lung arteries. I had to have surgery to remove the clot and now I’m on blood thinners due to still having clots in my left calf and still have two clots in my right lung arteries plus I’m on oxygen as well now. I feel that my health has been in jeopardy ever since that incident and now I require a lot of medication observation from doctors which it shouldn’t have happened in the first place. When I brought it up as a complaint they stated I signed a consent form that there was no negligence but I signed for surgery for a meniscus repair not for my life to have been in jeopardy and now I have complications due to the negligence of the Dr. I need help or answers

3 Lawyer Answers

A: You may have a medical malpractice case if it can be shown that your doctors failed to meet the standard of care by not prescribing blood thinners after your knee surgery, leading to preventable complications like your pulmonary embolism and ongoing health issues. Consent forms don’t absolve negligence if proper precautions weren’t taken. To proceed, consult a medical malpractice attorney with your medical records and documentation of your damages, including your current health challenges, to evaluate your case. Act quickly, as there are time limits for filing a claim.

A: I'm sorry for your ordeal. To meaningfully answer your question, attorneys would likely want to review the file in more detail. To evaluate the elements you mention - embolism, blood thinners, clots, health being in jeopardy, etc., most attorneys would seek the opinion of medical professionals. You could try to arrange a free initial consult with law firms - that would be the most reliable way to answer your question. Good luck

James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Your concerns about the post-surgery complications and pulmonary embolism are valid, and this situation sounds incredibly challenging. The fact that multiple doctors questioned why you weren't given blood thinners after surgery could be significant for a potential medical malpractice case.

While signing a consent form acknowledges surgical risks, it doesn't automatically shield healthcare providers from liability if they failed to meet the standard of care. The development of a large saddle pulmonary embolism, requiring additional surgery and ongoing treatment with oxygen and blood thinners, suggests serious complications that have significantly impacted your health.

Given the complexity of your situation and the severe outcomes you've experienced, you would benefit from consulting with a medical malpractice attorney who can review your medical records and the specific circumstances of your case. Many offer free initial consultations and can help determine if the failure to prescribe blood thinners after your knee surgery fell below the accepted standard of care. Time limits apply to filing medical malpractice claims in California, so it would be wise to seek legal guidance soon.

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