When a person in Texas experiences unexplained pain, they often turn to doctors to help find answers. When a patient seeks treatment, doctors and other medical care providers have a duty to provide an acceptable standard of care. Unfortunately, one out-of-state man claims that doctor errors ultimately caused him significant harm, and a jury recently agreed.
The man reportedly began suffering severe abdominal pain in May 2011 when he was 47. Although he had suffered from Crohn's disease in the past, he had not experienced any symptoms related to this disorder in approximately a decade. Neverteless, doctors attributed his abdominal issues to his Crohn's disease.
Instead of being Crohn's disease, the man claims he was actually suffering from an ulcer that perforated. As a result, he underwent multiple surgeries, spending almost three years in the hospital. He has now been diagnosed with short-bowel syndrome and is unable to care for himself.
A Maryland jury recently agreed that the doctors failed to provide an accepted standard of care. As a result, he was awarded $28 million in damages -- an amount that will likely be reduced as a result of state caps. A representative for the man says the award will go toward hiring around-the-clock nurses to provide the care his current condition requires. The hospital claims that the verdict was not supported by the evidence and anticipates filing an appeal.
While doctors in Texas are typically well-trained professionals, doctor errors do occur and can cause significant harm to a person's life. If negligence can be proved, amedical malpractice lawsuit could result in an award of damages to help a victim and his or her family cope with the medical bills and other financial consequences of the mistake. Additionally, a lawsuit could provide attention to a doctor's mistake, potentially preventing others from suffering similarly in the future. Consultation service from the Maloney lawyers is free. Contact us today to get started.
