I had a c-section on September 26th. Recently I noticed something "plastic" hanging out of the incision area. It has turned black where it is attached to the skin. I have also had a burning sensation in the incision area. I did not notice this before my post-partum check-up but you would think that the doctor would have. I have no idea how to go about suing the doctor. Should I get medical treatment first? Should I contact a lawyer first? How do you find a lawyer that is willing to get paid only if you win the case?
2006-07-10 12:32:23 · 9 answers · asked by Jo 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
Don't go jumping on the lawsuit bandwagon just yet!! Your physician is human and if you inside of your own body did not see what was happening prior to your post partum check, you can't expect him to know it's there! Remember Medicine is an art just as much as a science! Have you gone back to the doctor since you noticed the problem? You're best bet is to contact the physician ASAP and get in and get this looked at. Scar tissue is a tricky thing! If you got a pocket of infection under the tissue this could be causing significant discomfort. Since you did not describe the "plastic peice" so I couldn't even begin to guess what that could be! If he does not deal with it to your satasfaction then immediately seek out another physician!
There is always the possibility that Medical Malpractice could be a possibility, however you may have a hard time proving your case since you've waited so long to question your problem (you'r post partum check should have been November? That's 8 months ago).
At this point your best course of action is going to be to sit down and document as specifically as possible everything you can remember, dates are importiant, but don't guess, give a timeframe if you don't know a specific date. Get out all of your information they gave you to take home from the hospital with instructions for your aftercare. Document document document!!!(Pictures are importiant) If you have the funds you may also want to go ahead and get your medical record from the hospital, however this can sometimes cost up to $100 depending on the hospital and their policies (an attorney can get this later). Get as much information from the physician visit as possible. I wouldn't bother asking a new physician if you have a case, most likely they won't want to get involved and you might even have to look for yet another doctor. Just take ALL the information you can get from the new physician and document it as well. If your new physician feels there is a problem and something is wrong that was not your fault, you might have a medical malpractice case. Only an attorney can tell you this for sure though. Also you would need an atorney to determine whether it is appropriate to sue the physican or the hospital, they are two different entities and you can't sue the doctor for something that was the fault of the hospital or vice versa.
There are a lot of attorneys out there that will only charge you if you win, though the risk with these guys is they are typically very busy and may not spend the time on your case you feel it diserves or listen to you as thougherally as you feel appropriate. Check in the yellow pages in your area or in a larger city close to you, thats usually a selling point in their adds. They will decide if you have a case or not.
Good luck!
2006-07-10 13:07:10 · answer #1 · answered by Mel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing you should do is seek medical attention -- but if you're interested in pursuing this legally, be sure to document it with pictures. It sounds like, whatever it is, may be becoming infected, and this could cause some big ole problems. You should probably go to a different doctor than the one who did your post-partum checkup and get his/her opinion on what the thing is. If s/he thinks that it may have been a mistake on the part of the doctor performing the surgery (which also may make it a good idea to perhaps find a different hospital or complex so you're not dealing with colleagues) then it would be wise to find a lawyer. There are plenty of law firms out there that will only ask for pay if you win, it's just a matter of calling around and finding the right one -- and if the lawyer thinks that the case should be a win, s/he will be more likely to take it on under that condition..so you should make sure to gather all the information possible and have it ready for the lawyers.
Remember that doctors are people too and make mistakes just like the rest of us, so try not to get too upset at whoever performed the surgery. But, of course, if it causes you any pain and (of course) money, you do deserve damages.
Good luck!!
2006-07-10 12:40:56 · answer #2 · answered by PsychoBabble 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work in the medical field, actually in OB/GYN. Now, I'd like to say no don't sue... but really the best thing for you to do is first and foremost seek medical treatment. But also, contact the facility. Ask to speak with their legal department or patient advocates. Some people may act like if it's the facilities legal council they won't be as helpful, but it's not so. If it's a respectable facility they will put their patient's needs first. We actually had a doctor loose his job for less serious problems than this. But please... seek medical attention first. It sounds almost like a suture that has gone wrong. But it could also be something else surgical. Good luck!!
2006-07-10 17:30:15 · answer #3 · answered by Misi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It possibly could be. When was the first time you noticed it? You never saw it before now? It's been 9 months and you're just now noticing this? Those are going to be the questions that come up. Go back to your doctor and find out what's going on. If you are not satisfied with the explanation, consult an attorney to see where to go from there.
2006-07-10 13:34:17 · answer #4 · answered by eehco 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is the plastic thing hanging out look like a string? if so its a stitch and will fall out on its own. some times they use stitches that are made to dissolve on their own but for some reason one stitch wont dissolve. however if its black and burning around the incision area you need to go to the Dr, it may be infected. id go find out what is going on with the incision before you contact a lawyer.
CNA II
2006-07-10 17:14:51 · answer #5 · answered by Heather W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a second opinion before you go off shouting for a lawyer. If there is a burning sensation, there is propably a problem. Mistakes happen. Doctors are just as human as the rest of us.
2006-07-10 12:37:09 · answer #6 · answered by ninusharra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a lawyer first before anthing and then proceed with the medical treatment. It sounds like they may have left something inside of you that should definitely not be there.
2006-07-10 12:38:12 · answer #7 · answered by piggy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't sue if I were you. It may be your fault for not seeing a Dr. sooner.
2006-07-10 12:37:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can't file for malpractice unless you are harmed or killed
2006-07-10 12:58:46 · answer #9 · answered by Elizabeth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋