Legal Question in Medical Malpractice in Ohio
I am wondering if I have a malpractice case. I went to the E.R. with extreme stomach pains, and was sent home on an antibiotic without any tests getting done. A few days later I went to a different hospital because I knew something was wrong. I was then diagnosed with Crohn's disease and sent home on anti-inflammatory medications. 24-48 hours later I was back in the hospital with a perforated bowel. I had two surgeries, one which included the application of an Ileostomy for 6 months, and the second which included the reversal of the ileostomy. Within this time frame there was a ton of emotional and psychological damage and I was fired from my job because my medical leave had exhausted. I think that the had the first doctor ran tests he could have diagnosed me with Crohn's disease and everything could have been avoided.
1 Answer from Attorneys
It sounds like the care you received at both hospitals was substandard. In the first emergency department it sounds like they should have ordered a CT Scan or other diagnostic tests. Whether this would have led to admission for a potential bowel perforation is the issue that will need to be evaluated. As to the second hospital the same issues exist however it may be difficult to prove that you would have avoided the surgeries. Whenever there is a concern about a possible bowel perforation one must be concerned about the potential for bacteria to enter the peritoneal cavity that can lead to abdominal sepsis. The scenario you describe sounds like it should be investigated more thoroughly. The records from both hospitals will need to be obtained and reviewed by an emergency room expert. As to the ultimate issue of would it have made a difference, a general surgeon will need to review the records to determine if an earlier diagnose of your Crohn's disease and/or a proper work-up for the source of your abdominal pain would likely have avoided the surgeries you required and the extent of the damages you have experienced. Please feel free to contact my office for a free consultation. After gathering more information we can determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant pursuing this matter.
Howard Mishkind
www.mishkindlaw.com
216-595-1900
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