My father is a diabetic. He has been on pills to control his diabetes for like 3 years. He has had the same diabetic doctor for the whole time. He has most of his toes cut off due to the diabetes. Yesterday, he almost went into a sugar coma when his sugar tested 394. He was given insulin to bring it down. I was told by the nurse, that he will have to take insulin for the rest of his life. She said he probably needed a long time ago. She said that if he would have been given it before, he would probably have all his toes. I am thinking of pursing a lawsuit against his doctor. Do you think that I have a case?
2007-06-18 03:37:11 · 8 answers · asked by omarion's mommy 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Diabetes
Perhaps. The dr prescribed medication, but pills are not a cure, they are an aid to good control of a incurable disease. Did your dad follow a food plan? Did he exercize? Did he try to lose weight? Did he test his own blood sugar? If the answer to any of these questions is NO, the doctor could claim (with some truth) that your dad was non-compliant to his course of treatment. Did your dad seek a second opionion as he was losing his toes over these 3 yrs? It's hard to say, BUT people need to be proactive in their own health care and perhaps your father was somewhat passive in this regard. And the damage occurs over a long period of time, so likely he was diabetic long before the dx 3 yrs ago, so this dr got involved in the tail end of an ongoing battle.
2007-06-18 05:27:00 · answer #1 · answered by GEEGEE 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No, diabetic care from the doctor is just the starting point...its mainly the diabetics responsibility to take care of him/herself. Regular self testing, good diet, exercise etc. Damage to the degree of needing amputation is done over very many years and it would be impossible to prove this was because you father was not put on insulin sooner. I'd be more likely to take the nurse to task for making such a tactless comment!!
2007-06-18 14:02:26 · answer #2 · answered by huggz 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The damage to his circulation could have occurred long (years) before his diagnosis. That's why Type 2 diabetes is considered a silent killer. To get to the point of amputation does not happen in 3 years.
2007-06-18 12:24:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I don't detect any malpractice here. His doctor did what he could to the best of his medical expertise, but as the saying goes, it takes 2 to tango. I suspect your father was non-compliant and cheated with his medicines, diet and exercise regimen. To add injury, many families seek the legal system to fix the problem, where in fact there is no problem. This country is filled with SUERS who will never admit that much of the problem is their own creation. Anymore, somebody needs to stand up and defend the medical industry!
2007-06-18 20:33:47 · answer #4 · answered by Confused_Rep 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
She could be right but I doubt you have much of a case. How can you prove that he would still have his toes, you can't. However, it certainly sounds like he should have been on insulin, that is of course if he was compliant with his diet. It has been my experience that very few people with type II diabetes are very compliant.
2007-06-18 10:44:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I'll bet that doctor is not an endocrinologist .
Dad needs a great endo to help him care for his diabetes.
I think he has been going to the wrong doctor and although that doctor didn't suggest an endo ,he should have gone to a specialist.
I doubt a lawsuit would hold up.
Try talking to an attorney if you like.
Say Hi to Dad for me !
2007-06-18 11:37:03 · answer #6 · answered by Cammie 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
you would probably have to prove that his sugars were out of control and have documented proof that it was discussed with the doctor..
2007-06-21 23:58:28 · answer #7 · answered by spanky 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that it's possible. You should consult a lawyer about a potential case. You should present all of your information that you have.
2007-06-18 10:46:51 · answer #8 · answered by Aesea 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋