Ohio Lawyers Handling Failure to Diagnose Compartment Syndrome Cases
Compartment syndrome is usually the result of a broken bone or severe and repeated stress to the affected area. Sometimes a cast or even bandages that are too tight can also result in this condition. Compartment syndrome occurs when swelling and increased pressure in an enclosed compartment in the body compromise the nerve, blood vessels and tendon within that compartment.
Prompt recognition by the doctor is critical to prevent serious injury. The correct treatment for compartment syndrome is prompt surgery that opens the compartment to relieve the pressure. Failure to do this in a timely fashion can lead to disability, paralysis, amputation or even death. Unfortunately, we have seen cases where the physician delayed diagnosing the condition, resulting in severe disability.
Contact us if your compartment syndrome was misdiagnosed or you lost a loved one because of this type of physician negligence.
Compartment syndrome is potentially devastating, and often the patient and his or her family are left with unanswered questions: How did this happen? Should it have been prevented, or was it unavoidable? We help our clients get answers to those questions. When the medical evidence shows that the injury was the result of a medical professional choosing to cut corners or violate patient safety standards, we help our clients hold that professional accountable. Even though most verdicts are paid by the insurance company, these civil actions make a difference and help keep the same thing from happening to other people.
— Partner
Peter J. Brodhead
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Compartment Syndrome
Compartment syndrome most frequently occurs in the leg, but it can also involve the forearm, arm, thigh and shoulder. Symptoms include acute numbness and tingling, severe pain, weakness, skin discoloration and loss of movement in the affected extremity. Patients cannot obtain relief with the usual methods of pain medication, ice or elevation. There is a specific diagnostic test that can measure the pressure in a compartment. If compartment syndrome is suspected, the physician should perform this test as soon as possible to minimize damage to the patient.
Preparing Every Case for Trial
Our Cleveland attorneys prepare every case thoroughly in anticipation of trial. The opposing attorneys would often rather settle the case before trial than risk the greater expense of a trial and the possibility of a much larger jury award. We are highly experienced courtroom lawyers who can tell a jury how the failure to diagnose compartment syndrome has affected our client's life. Lawyers for the insurance companies know this and frequently prefer to make a better offer instead of facing our lawyers in court.
We consult with a wide range of experts and specialists to build strong cases for our clients. We talk with orthopedists, surgeons, vocational specialists and anyone else who can help document the negligence that prevented timely diagnosis and treatment.
Experienced, Sophisticated, Reputable
Spangenberg Shibley & Liber is recognized as one of the pre-eminent medical malpractice law firms in Ohio. We are one of the first civil litigation firms to take on individual and mass tort cases that have had a lasting impact on how negligence laws have been shaped over the past several decades. We advocate for clients whose treatment for compartment syndrome was delayed by a failure to diagnose or a misdiagnosis. We have been representing clients in these kinds of situations for more than 65 years and have the knowledge and experience to prevail on behalf of clients who suffered the consequences of undiagnosed compartment syndrome.
Contact us if your compartment syndrome was undiagnosed or you lost a loved one because of this type of physician negligence.
Free Consultation · Contingency Fees · Spanish and Ukrainian Interpreters
We offer free, confidential consultations to determine whether you have a compartment syndrome misdiagnosis case. Please contact us as soon as possible to avoid deadlines that may exclude you from filing a claim. We handle all medical negligence matters on a contingency basis, so if we tell you that you have a case, be assured that we are prepared to move forward without charging you attorneys' fees. You owe us only if we win compensation for you.
Remember, if you have a claim, there is probably a statute of limitations clock running, after which you won't have the right to file a lawsuit. Protect your rights by contacting us today or calling us at (888) 633-0360.
