Personal Injury Law

Medical Malpractice Suit Over a Colonoscopy

By Steven M. Levin and John J. Perconti

A patient had undergone a colonoscopy during which a benign polyp was excised and developed rectal bleeding at home. The patient claims he called the doctor twice and he told him it was nothing serious, but the doctor alleges he informed the patient to go to the emergency room. The patient reported to the emergency room the next morning and in addition to the bleeding he was found to have abdominal tenderness. X-rays showed free air and he underwent a partial colectomy and colostomy and eventually had the colostomy closed. The patient then developed a vernal hernia which required a third operation, and ended up settling his medical malpractice lawsuit. This medical malpractice case is amongst colonoscopies because bleeding and perforation are two major complications. Doctors need to explain this to all their patients in the pre-op colonoscopy. It is important to understand all of the complications when undergoing a colonoscopy. To read the full story, click here.

Full post as published by Illinois Medical Malpractice Blog on October 01, 2008 (boomark / email).