Background of the Case
A famous law firm based in Georgia is known for its extensive experience and unmatched expertise in handling complex medical malpractice and personal injury cases. With over 30 years of their expertise, the law firm has secured many multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for their clients. Their team of experienced attorneys are known for their strategic thinking and relentless pursuit of justice.
This law firm took on a wrongful death case of a 65-year-old female patient with a complex medical history. Despite their impressive track record on expertise, the medical complexity of this particular case gave them unique challenges that required efficient and in-depth medical record analysis. What they lacked was an expert team of medical legal professionals to conduct a detailed medical record review.
They came to know of LezDo TechMed’s expertise through one of our clients and approached us. The team of medical record review experts at LezDo TechMed conducted a thorough analysis of the medical records and identified crucial evidence of medical negligence, which ultimately led to a plaintiff-favored verdict.
Snapshot of the Case
On April 5, 2019, the plaintiff underwent a procedure to treat varicose veins in her left leg. On May 17, 2019, she had another similar treatment. Later that day, she experienced severe symptoms at work, including weakness on her left side, a drooping face, and slurred speech. She was taken to the hospital, where initial imaging reports suggested a blockage in a brain artery, which later identified to be a blood clot. When attempts to do hyperbaric therapy to dissolve clot failed, physicians conducted an emergency thrombectomy to remove the clot.
For a week in May 2019, she was in the neuro ICU, receiving various evaluations and therapies. Despite improvements, she had occasional body jerking and slight speech difficulties. Between June and October 2019, she participated in outpatient therapies, showing significant progress and returning to work full-time by July. However, from December 2019 to February 2022, she had multiple follow-ups for dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and recurring weakness. Later it was diagnosed as symptoms of heart failure and chest pain related to heart issues. In March 2022, following massive heart failure, she died.
The plaintiff’s family approached the law firm to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the facility for negligence in detecting heart issues on time.
Challenges
Complex Medical History
The plaintiff had an extensive medical history of varicose veins, postural hypertension, thyroid cancer, chronic congestive heart failure, and previous bilateral sclerotherapy. This complex history made it difficult to identify the glimpses of medical negligence and establish the clear lines of causation.
Procedural Complications
The adverse complications following sclerotherapy, including the occurrence of an air embolism (air bubble in vein or artery) and subsequent stroke, needed a thorough analysis to pinpoint traces of negligence.
Diagnostic Delays
The shift from hyperbaric therapy to thrombectomy needed a detailed investigation to determine the relevance and timing of the medical decisions.
Despite their significant experience, the law firm lacked the specialized medical review team to dissect the intricate details of the patient’s treatment and identify actionable proof of negligence.
Solution
LezDo TechMed’s expert team diligently reviewed the plaintiff’s medical records and identified critical points of negligence that significantly strengthened the legal claim:
Elaborate and Comprehensive Record Review
LezDo TechMed utilized advanced medical record review methodologies, employing a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the extensive medical history of the victim. Our team comprised medical professionals, legal experts, and data analysts who cross-referenced all records, including clinical notes, diagnostic reports, treatment protocols, procedural notes, and follow-up visits.
This thorough analysis helped identify key instances of substandard care that might have otherwise been overlooked, ensuring no detail was missed in building the negligence case.
Identification of Procedural Errors
The detailed review highlighted the inadequate management of painful intravascular hematomas post-sclerotherapy on May 17, 2019. The patient’s records showed that conservative management had failed prior to the second sclerotherapy session, which complicated her condition further.
By examining the medical records, our team identified that the treatment provided was not aligned with the standard medical protocols for such complications. The team pointed out discrepancies in the procedural approach and aftercare that directly contributed to the patient’s adverse outcomes and untimely death later.
Air Embolism Incident
The occurrence of an air embolism during the sclerotherapy procedure was scrutinized in detail. LezDo TechMed’s team investigated the procedure steps, the materials used, and the documentation provided by the healthcare providers.
They identified lapses in the standard procedural protocol that could have led to the iatrogenic introduction of air into the venous circulation. The lack of adherence to safe sclerotherapy practices was evident, indicating a clear procedural error.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was notably absent from the patient’s pre-sclerotherapy evaluation. TEE is critical for detecting potential cardiac issues, such as patent foramen ovale (PFO), which significantly increases the risk of paradoxical embolism during procedures like sclerotherapy. The omission of this screening likely contributed to the adverse outcome of a cerebral air embolism.
Our team provided a detailed causation analysis linking the air embolism to the patient’s subsequent stroke, establishing a strong argument for medical negligence.
Diagnostic Delays
The analysis into the delay and conflicting diagnoses between hyperbaric therapy and thrombectomy provided crucial evidence of lapses in immediate and accurate medical response. LezDo TechMed’s team dissected the timeline of events from the initial complication to the eventual correct diagnosis and treatment.
Our team highlighted how the delays in appropriate treatment contributed to the worsening of the patient’s condition and death thereafter. By contrasting the medical actions taken with the standard response protocols for such symptoms, they underscored the negligence in timely intervention.
Our team’s findings were bolstered by expert testimonies from neurologists and radiologists who confirmed that the delays in diagnostic clarity and treatment were significant and avoidable. Thus, it strengthened the legal claim.
Ongoing Symptom Management
The continuous episodes of weakness, dizziness, and other symptoms despite treatments were carefully documented. LezDo TechMed’s team identified potential gaps in follow-up care and inconsistencies in the management plans.
They compared the patient’s treatment plans with the standard care protocols for managing post-stroke and cardiovascular symptoms, highlighting the deficiencies and lapses in ongoing management.
Our team emphasized the importance of consistent and proactive management in such cases and illustrated how the patient’s care fell short, thereby contributing to her prolonged and recurrent symptoms, and death.
Result
The client uploaded medical records to our secure CaseDrive, allowing us to access and work on them diligently. Completed files were available via a secure link, retained for up to six months for convenient access.
Our five to seven business-day turnaround time, ensured prompt service. Adjustments were made as needed, and our support team provided prompt responses to queries, which ensured smooth case handling.
With the evidence gathered by LezDo TechMed, the law firm was able to present a compelling medical negligence-related wrongful death claim. The identification of procedural errors, inadequate post-procedure management, and diagnostic delays provided the much-needed foundation for a successful claim. Finally, the law firm secured a substantial settlement for the victim’s family.
The law firm became a client of LezDo TechMed after experiencing our efficient handling of this complex medical negligence case. Impressed by our ability to gather crucial evidence, identify procedural errors, and provide comprehensive medical reviews, they realized the value of our services in securing substantial settlements for their clients.
Over the past year, this law firm has continued its journey with LezDo TechMed, benefiting from our consistent, high-quality medical review services. Our commitment to thoroughness, timely delivery, and excellent communication has ensured their cases are handled smoothly and effectively. As a result, the firm has maintained a strong partnership with us, relying on our expertise to navigate complex medical-legal scenarios and achieve favorable outcomes for their clients.
