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Do i have a case for medical malpractice?

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skopp

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida

I was admitted into the ER at Florida Hospital while experiencing severe abdominal pain. After speaking with my doctor and running multiple test. My doctor diagnosed me with an ulcer. He also perscribed me medication and told me to set up a consultation with an gastro specialist. After briefly speaking with him. He informed me my symptoms sounded nothing like an ulcer but rather my Gallbladder shuting down. He then examined my abdomen the moment he pressed on my Gallbladder i blacked out for a brief moment. When i came to i was in the worst pain of my life. Before being taking to the hospital in an ambulance. The specialist told me he couldnt believe my ER doctor didnt check my Gallbladder. Or run any test to see if it was functioning correctly. My ER doctor also was negligent by not asking about family history or checking family history medical records. After arriving at the hospital the following morning i had my Gallbladder removed along with 14 Gallstones. I stayed a total of 4 nights in the hospital before being released. I was still experiencing severe stomach pain. If my ER doctor would had properly diagnosed me there's a chance my Gallbladder could have been treated in time. The effect of my surgery and no longer having a Gallbladder have forever changed my life. I now struggle daily with IBS, this alone has caused me to miss work and school. I also struggle with severe abdominal pain that is comparable to when my Gallbladder was shuting down. I am also lactose intolerant now. My ER doctors one mistake has changed my life. Please advise me what should i do?
 


quincy

Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida

I was admitted into the ER at Florida Hospital while experiencing severe abdominal pain. After speaking with my doctor and running multiple test. My doctor diagnosed me with an ulcer. He also perscribed me medication and told me to set up a consultation with an gastro specialist. After briefly speaking with him. He informed me my symptoms sounded nothing like an ulcer but rather my Gallbladder shuting down. He then examined my abdomen the moment he pressed on my Gallbladder i blacked out for a brief moment. When i came to i was in the worst pain of my life. Before being taking to the hospital in an ambulance. The specialist told me he couldnt believe my ER doctor didnt check my Gallbladder. Or run any test to see if it was functioning correctly. My ER doctor also was negligent by not asking about family history or checking family history medical records. After arriving at the hospital the following morning i had my Gallbladder removed along with 14 Gallstones. I stayed a total of 4 nights in the hospital before being released. I was still experiencing severe stomach pain. If my ER doctor would had properly diagnosed me there's a chance my Gallbladder could have been treated in time. The effect of my surgery and no longer having a Gallbladder have forever changed my life. I now struggle daily with IBS, this alone has caused me to miss work and school. I also struggle with severe abdominal pain that is comparable to when my Gallbladder was shuting down. I am also lactose intolerant now. My ER doctors one mistake has changed my life. Please advise me what should i do?
You haven't mentioned any dates/times. It is important to know how much time passed between being admitted to the ER at the Florida hospital and your gallbladder surgery.
 

TheGeekess

Keeper of the Kraken
Doctors make mistakes. It happened to me years ago. However, I had a history of GERD and some ulceration when I went to the ER, and it was decided that I needed to continue with my ulcer medication and followup with my PCP. When I did, it was found that I had gallstones. So, you might be able to dispute the ER bill (I did successfully), but other than that.... :cool:
 

Zigner

Senior Member, Non-Attorney
Your primary doctor gave you meds and referred you to a specialist. Before you were able to see the specialist, the problem got worse, so you went to the ER. This doesn't seem like malpractice to me, but you may wish to consult with a local attorney for their take on the matter.
 
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TheGeekess

Keeper of the Kraken
The OP is posting elsewhere about ankles and motorcycle accidents. Either OP is trolling, doing homework, or is looking for the mal-med jackpot. :cool:
 

Gail in Georgia

Senior Member
People often expect a hell of a lot from the ER; they expect the ER folks to act as their primary care physicians.

That's NOT the job of the emergency room; it's to deal with the most severe cases; determine if hospitalization is required and refer (as in this case) others to either their own providers or to specialists.

Turns out the OP had 14 gallstones and the treatment was gall bladder removal. Unfortunately, changes in the GI tract is not unusual since bile (which breaks down fat) is no longer being produced by the gall bladder. Diarrhea (if that is what the OP is experiencing) is a common side effect especially if the OP has not modified his/her diet after this surgery. This is not malpractice on the part of the ER physician.

Gail
 

AdoptADog

Member
People often expect a hell of a lot from the ER; they expect the ER folks to act as their primary care physicians.

That's NOT the job of the emergency room; it's to deal with the most severe cases; determine if hospitalization is required and refer (as in this case) others to either their own providers or to specialists.

Turns out the OP had 14 gallstones and the treatment was gall bladder removal. Unfortunately, changes in the GI tract is not unusual since bile (which breaks down fat) is no longer being produced by the gall bladder. Diarrhea (if that is what the OP is experiencing) is a common side effect especially if the OP has not modified his/her diet after this surgery. This is not malpractice on the part of the ER physician.

Gail
Like Like Like button!!

The purpose of the Emergency Department is to stabilize folk until their primary care doctor or specialists can take over their care. I am betting there were some scans run that might just show the gallstones. Medicine is an art, not a science. Diagnoses are theories.

What are your lasting damages, OP? You had 14 gallstones, one of which was most likely blocking a duct causing extreme pain. Not much to be done, but to remove it. Without lasting and severe damages you'll have a hard time getting an attorney to take the case.
 

AdoptADog

Member
The OP is posting elsewhere about ankles and motorcycle accidents. Either OP is trolling, doing homework, or is looking for the mal-med jackpot. :cool:
Also about a pitching machine and testicles while in high school at 14. Now 18 and looking for the deep pockets. Perhaps finding adulting not so fun, and looking for the big payday way to retirement?
 

Zigner

Senior Member, Non-Attorney
I just want to be clear that, in THIS thread, the OP is not looking to sue the ER - the OP is looking to sue his PCP for not diagnosing the gallbladder condition.
 

ShyCat

Senior Member
I just want to be clear that, in THIS thread, the OP is not looking to sue the ER - the OP is looking to sue his PCP for not diagnosing the gallbladder condition.
I read the first post as blaming the ER doctor:

I was admitted into the ER at Florida Hospital while experiencing severe abdominal pain. After speaking with my doctor and running multiple test. My doctor diagnosed me with an ulcer. He also perscribed me medication and told me to set up a consultation with an gastro specialist. After briefly speaking with him. He informed me my symptoms sounded nothing like an ulcer but rather my Gallbladder shuting down. He then examined my abdomen the moment he pressed on my Gallbladder i blacked out for a brief moment. When i came to i was in the worst pain of my life. Before being taking to the hospital in an ambulance. The specialist told me he couldnt believe my ER doctor didnt check my Gallbladder. Or run any test to see if it was functioning correctly. My ER doctor also was negligent by not asking about family history or checking family history medical records. After arriving at the hospital the following morning i had my Gallbladder removed along with 14 Gallstones. I stayed a total of 4 nights in the hospital before being released. I was still experiencing severe stomach pain. If my ER doctor would had properly diagnosed me there's a chance my Gallbladder could have been treated in time. The effect of my surgery and no longer having a Gallbladder have forever changed my life. I now struggle daily with IBS, this alone has caused me to miss work and school. I also struggle with severe abdominal pain that is comparable to when my Gallbladder was shuting down. I am also lactose intolerant now. My ER doctors one mistake has changed my life. Please advise me what should i do?
 

FlyingRon

Senior Member
I agree with what was stated. There was no emergent condition. The doctor suggested a likely specialist to try given the signs/symptoms. That specialist came up with the right answer. I'm failing to see, even if the ER examination was entirely negligent in the diagnosis what the "damage" here is anyhow. I don't buy the supposition that four days diagnosis error was going to make a difference in the outcome here. With that many stones, there wasn't likely to be any other outcome than cholescystemcomy. The loss of a gall bladder isn't going to be life changing (other than for the better, both my wife and daughter had theirs out in rapid succession). It ended a long series of misdiagnosed, chronic pain conditions. Gall bladder misdiagnosis is far from uncommon.
 

AdoptADog

Member
I just want to be clear that, in THIS thread, the OP is not looking to sue the ER - the OP is looking to sue his PCP for not diagnosing the gallbladder condition.
To me, it was unclear whom the OP wants to sue. I could not even follow the course of events. It appeared the PCP thought ulcer, referred to GI who said gallbladder, he passed out in GI doc's office who called ambulance, then went to ER who failed to diagnose gallbladder. Then was suddenly in surgery for 14 gallstones.

I thought it was a come one, sue all situation.
 

CTU

Meddlesome Priestess
Also about a pitching machine and testicles while in high school at 14. Now 18 and looking for the deep pockets. Perhaps finding adulting not so fun, and looking for the big payday way to retirement?
This has been one of the most ... uh ... "interesting" ... threads I've seen here in quite some time!

I'm alternating between :eek: and :rolleyes:

:D
 

ecmst12

Senior Member
If my ER doctor would had properly diagnosed me there's a chance my Gallbladder could have been treated in time.
Your gallbladder WAS treated in time. You survived. The treatment for gallstones which are causing severe pain and blockages is to remove the gallbladder. There are no other treatments.
 

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