Deerfield Beach Knee Replacement Lawyer
Every year, nearly 300,000 people in the United States undergo knee replacement surgery. For most, knee replacement surgery helps alleviate chronic pain and mobility issues; however, in some cases complications arise because of a doctor’s negligence. If you are suffering after knee replacement surgery, you may have a medical malpractice case against your doctor. The Deerfield Beach knee replacement lawyers at Leifer & Ramirez are here to help.
Knee Replacement Complications
Knee replacement surgery typically involves replacing the lower end of the femur (thigh bone) with a metal cap and the upper end of the tibia (lower leg bone) with a metal stem and plastic piece as a substitute for the knee. If the parts are misaligned or some other negligence takes place during surgery, some of the most common complications include the following:
- Loss of motion and range in the knee
- Damage to blood vessels
- Bleeding in the knee joint
- Chronic stiffness or pain in the knee
- Nerve damage, sometimes permanent
- Infection
- Pulmonary embolisms
Florida Medical Malpractice Law
While there are always risks with any medical procedure, when a surgeon or other medical professional is negligent or fails to operate with a standard of care you may have a case for medical malpractice. Under Florida law, there is only a short timeframe in which a person can file a medical malpractice lawsuit. A patient has two years from the day the injury is discovered or should have been discovered, or four years from the date of the malpractice to file a lawsuit against a medical professional. In addition, Florida requires pre-lawsuit filings and a mandatory settlement process to attempt to resolve the issues before the case is allowed to go to trial. To prove medical malpractice following a knee replacement surgery, an attorney must show the following:
- A doctor/patient relationship
- A breach in the standard of care
- Injury that resulted from the breach
For any medical procedure or surgery, there is a basic standard of care that all medical professionals must meet. The most common breaches of care include failing to warn a patient about possible complications, giving the wrong course of treatment or unnecessary treatments, and errors during surgery. During knee replacement surgery, this can include failure to warn about possible complications following the procedure, incorrect placement of knee replacement devices, or failures in the follow-up care after the replacement surgery is complete.
Knee Replacement Compensation
Complications that arise from knee replacement malpractice can have a devastating effect on a person’s life. Restrictions in mobility can lead to further medical treatment and costs. Oftentimes, it necessitates a second surgery, medication, and rehabilitation. It can leave a person unable to work for weeks, if not months. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can ensure that you are fairly compensated for your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Our Deerfield Beach Office Today
If you or someone you know has suffered complications following a knee replacement surgery, call or contact the knee replacement lawyers at Leifer & Ramirez in Deerfield Beach today for a free consultation of your case. We have years of experience defending patients that have unnecessarily suffered from medical malpractice and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
