Legal Question in Medical Malpractice in New Jersey

Standard of care negligence
Medical Malpractice. My 75 year old mother had foot surgery by a local podiatrist. Two procedures were performed at a local surgery center. One procedure required a bunionectomy, the other an insertion of two orthopedic pins to correct a joint fusion. After six weeks of casting, my mother was informed that the bunionectory went well. Unfortunately the insertion of the pin in her left large toe did not due well. It was explained by the podiatrist that the pin must of ''Fell Out'' after the operation. An x-ray done six weeks after showed that the pin was completely outside of the bone. Further investication revealed that no post-op x-ray at the time of surgery (Surgical Center)was ever done. In addition to this, this podiatrist elected to remove (six weeks post surgery)the out of place pin in his/her office with no nurse or sterile conditons present. The out come was that my 75 year old mother was left with the following:
* All of her tendons in her large toe were severed.
* The in office removal of the pin caused permanent nerve damage. All nerves were severed.
* Her toe has no feeling, nor does it respond to physical therapy.
* She is in constant pain and in great fear of tripping over her dead toe.

Please advise!

Asked on 11/05/02, 8:00 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Daniel B. Kelley Kelley Law Offices, L.L.C.

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Re: Standard of care negligence

Sorry to hear about your mother's experience. I am an attorney in Cherry Hill who handles these types of claims. Based on the facts you entered, it sounds like there may have been some malpractice, however, one big issue will be the value of the claim since these cases are so expensive to pursue. The next step is to talk to an attorney for a full evaluation.

Please contact me at your convenience if you wish. I offer free consultations and would be happy to speak with you via e-mail, telephone, etc. In the meantime, you can learn more about my firm and my practice at www.ssglawfirm.com and/or www.njlawpages.com.

Thanks,

Daniel B. Kelley

(856)616-8080

[email protected]

Answered on 11/15/02, 9:55 am

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