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A pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening medical issue. Even if it’s not fatal, an embolism can have permanent health consequences. You may spend thousands of dollars on treatments. You shouldn’t have to bear these costs if your injury resulted from pulmonary embolism malpractice.
The Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson focuses exclusively on medical malpractice and other personal injury cases, giving us in-depth knowledge we can use to help you seek full and fair compensation. Firm founder Kelley J. Johnson has nearly 20 years of litigation experience. We have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients who were injured due to the negligence of others. Our team also includes a registered nurse who assists with these cases, providing medical insights we can use to support your claim. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
What Is a Pulmonary Embolism (PE)?
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs. This blockage prevents blood from flowing to the lungs, which quickly affects the body’s key functions.
The most common cause of a PE is a blood clot that has traveled from another part of the body, such as the deep veins in the legs. The medical term for blood clots forming in these veins is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Risk factors for DVTs and subsequent embolism include:
- Prolonged immobility
- Recent surgery
- Certain cancers
- Obesity
- Smoking,
- Pregnancy
- A history of blood clots
People with clotting disorders or those taking hormone-based medications may also face a higher risk of blood clots and PEs.
Warning Signs for Pulmonary Embolisms
PE warning signs and symptoms that require immediate medical attention include the following:
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Coughing up blood
- Dizziness
- Fainting
Other indicators may include swelling or pain in one leg, lightheadedness, or bluish skin. Doctors should always take these symptoms seriously, as early diagnosis and treatment can save patients’ lives.
Medical Malpractice and Pulmonary Embolism: Medical Errors That Can Lead to Malpractice
Some medical errors that can increase a patient’s chances of a PE include:
- Failing to diagnose deep vein thrombosis before it progresses to a pulmonary embolism
- Misdiagnosing a pulmonary embolism as another condition, such as pneumonia, anxiety, or a heart attack
- Delaying diagnostic testing, such as CT scans, ultrasounds, or D-dimer blood tests, when symptoms suggest a possible embolism
- Ignoring or dismissing patient reports of symptoms like chest pain, leg swelling, or shortness of breath
- Failing to provide preventive anticoagulant therapy to high-risk patients after surgery, during hospitalization, or during extended immobility
- Discharging patients without proper instructions on recognizing blood clot symptoms or when to seek emergency care
If you believe that your healthcare provider’s medical negligence led to your PE, reach out to an experienced Indianapolis pulmonary embolism lawyer to determine if you have a viable personal injury claim.
Why You Need an Indianapolis Pulmonary Embolism Lawyer
Pulmonary embolism malpractice cases are complex. It can be challenging to establish negligence in these types of cases. Having the right legal help can make all the difference. Without an experienced medical malpractice attorney to represent you, you’ll face insurance companies and hospital lawyers who may try to downplay your injuries or shift blame onto you. You could also run into problems meeting Indiana’s strict malpractice filing requirements, which could put your case at risk before it even begins.
If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a medical provider’s negligence, we can investigate your case alongside respected medical experts to determine precisely how your care fell short of accepted medical standards. Our team understands Indiana’s complex malpractice laws and will handle every step of the process. We’ll gather your medical records, interview witnesses, and build a compelling case to show how your doctor’s (or another provider’s) negligence caused your pulmonary embolism and to demonstrate the harm you’ve suffered. We also fight for fair compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With the Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson on your side, you can focus on healing while we work to protect your rights.
When Is a Pulmonary Embolism a Case of Medical Malpractice?
A pulmonary embolism may be a case of medical malpractice if your doctor or another healthcare provider made a preventable error that caused or worsened your condition. In these cases, we examine whether the provider met the “medical standard of care.” In other words, did your healthcare professional provide the level of skill, attention, and treatment that another provider with similar training and experience would have given under similar circumstances? If they failed to order necessary tests, ignored clear symptoms, or delayed treatment when prompt action was required, they may have breached that standard.
Proving a breach of the medical standard of care often requires expert testimony. Medical experts can explain how the treatment you received fell short and how that failure led to your pulmonary embolism or worsened its effects. We can find experts to support your claim while documenting the harm you’ve suffered, which can include higher medical bills, lost income, long-term health complications, and pain and suffering. By connecting these damages directly to the negligent care you received, we can build a strong case to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Legal Options for Victims and Families
You may have the right to compensation if you or a family member suffered injuries from a malpractice-related pulmonary embolism. You could file a medical malpractice claim for your own injuries, or you might have a wrongful death claim if a family member died from an embolism. Through your personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earnings, and pain and suffering. Wrongful death cases can include compensation for funeral and burial costs, as well as the loss of your family member’s companionship and support.
Unfortunately, Indiana law limits the amount you can recover in medical malpractice cases. The state’s damages cap changes over time, and the rules for how much you can collect from healthcare providers and the Patient’s Compensation Fund are complex. We’ll explain and follow these rules while building the strongest possible case for you. Holding every responsible party accountable—including hospitals that failed to provide proper care—sends a clear message to negligent providers while helping you recover maximum compensation for the harm inflicted upon you.
Contact Our Indianapolis Pulmonary Embolism Lawyer to Learn More
A pulmonary embolism can change your life forever. If someone else’s actions caused it, you have the right to hold a negligent doctor or medical facility accountable for their errors. Call the Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson now or complete our contact form for a free case review.
