I need a response....Please!

I was a little disappointed to find no response to my prior question about the statue of limitations but maybe more information is needed. In Aug. 1990 my father was injured on the job by an 800lb catwalk falling on him and crushing the discs in his back. Surgery was performed. He was 100% disabled and the next 7 years was hell for all of us. The doctor put him on vicodin ES for 7 years. He became addicted of course. Year by year he would get sicker and sicker. The doctor that treated him refused to talk to my mother or myself and continued to federal express 100 pills to our door step. My father was in pain but the addiction of the pills was taken over. I dont think they ever even tested his liver. I believe prolonged use of vicodin causes Cirosis of the liver and that is what he eventually died of in nov. 1997. The compensation board is refusing to pay because they say death was not related to injury but I believe it is. The doctor only saw him every 4 to 5 months while prescribing these pills. The last year he couldnt even eat. Isnt it the responsibility of the doctor to know what medication they are perscribing and the long term effects. Shouldnt it be someones responsibility. I need someone to talk about this if for nothing else to understand the laws. thankyou

My condolesnces to you and your family. Here is a general situation for a medical malpractice claim:


1) Was the disease from which your father died an actual result/direct/indirect forseeable result of the meds he was taking, which was a result of his original injury?

2) Was his eventual death an indirect, forseeable result of his original injury?

3) Would this have happened as a result of negligence or this a typical side effect?

So, your attorney (a medical malpractice attorney) whom you hire will help you in this regard to see if your family can sue, if at all. Not only for wrongful death, but possible survival suits (for pain and suffering of your dad).

[url]http://www.attorneypages.com[/url] or call your State bar association.

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I am a law school graduate. What I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.

Thankyou for your information I will answer these questions and take them with me to a lawyer. I am grateful for your response. hope you have a great day.

[pele]

No good physician keeps a patient on pain medication that long, much less not seeing the patient for long periods of time. The patient should have been sent to a spine surgeon or a pain specialist, some back problems, unfortunately do not get better. As far as Vicodin is concerned go to WebMD.com or a similar site and type in Vicodin in the search box. It should bring up a section on the medication and its side effects. If you can't find it there, you can always go to the library and look in the PDR (physicians desk reference).I agree, you should see an attorney to have all your questions answered.

Do you know how much Vicoden ES your Father was taking daily? Did his dose increase steadily? Did he have Liver Function Tests done at any time that you can recall , maybe as part of a check-up at some point? Surely he must have as part of his original exam by the doctor who treated him for the injury. What other meds was he taking? Did he have a history of Hepatitis at ANY point in his life? Family history of Liver disease? Did he ever drink alcohol? When and how much? Acetamenophen (Tylenol) can be toxic to the liver if taken in sufficient quantities especially in combination with even seemingly small amounts of alcohol. Many OTC cold and "Allergy" meds have Tylenol in them. The Vicoden ES contains Tylenol equal to Extra Strength Tylenol. Even small amounts of alcohol could cause toxicity on top of enough Tylenol. Did he take any "Over the Counter" meds with alcohol in them like Nyquil? It is very important to be clear about everything he was taking and how much as well as a medication history. Take this info with you if you see a attorney . He or she can get a medical opinion as to whether the doses were potentially toxic. Good Luck!