When medical treatment is sought in Tennessee, the patient trusts that an acceptable level of care will be provided. Of course, doctors and nurses are human, and humans often make mistakes. Unfortunately, when mistakes occur during treatment, the patient can be seriously hurt or even killed.
Details of the claim
A medical malpractice lawsuit filed in another state alleged that negligence led to a man suffering a stroke. Reportedly, the man began vomiting and had a bad headache so he was taken via ambulance to a hospital emergency room. The lawsuit said the man was examined in the emergency room and a physician decided the man needed to be admitted to hospital after diagnosing him with benign positional vertigo. Allegedly, it took nearly three hours for the man to be transferred to a hospital bed.
By then, a provider apparently found the man delirious without meaningful interaction. Allegedly, it took another four to five hours to be seen by another physician. The man finally received an MRI after being at the hospital for over 12 hours and it was discovered he had a stroke. It was claimed that the man suffered permanent brain damage, impaired movement and can no longer work. A jury sided with the plaintiff, and he was awarded $13.5 million in the lawsuit.
What to do in the aftermath
Although most doctors are highly skilled and knowledgeable, they are not exempt from making mistakes or being negligent. Those in Tennessee who have suffered injuries or the loss of a loved one due to medical malpractice have options available to help them in this time of need. By consulting with a seasoned attorney and filing a claim, victims and families could obtain much-needed and deserved compensation.