A man filed a lawsuit against a U.S. Veterans’ Administration medical center. Though not filed in Texas, the claim was pursued after the veteran in question suffered a serious infection following a hernia operation. The surgery took place in 2015, after which the plaintiff developed a fever and abdominal pain.
A CT scan showed severe internal damage
The patient reportedly went to a hospital for testing, the results of which showed that he had a perforated abdomen. They also showed that the man’s bowels had leaked into his abdominal cavity, resulting in a severe infection. After a recent 4-day trial, a U.S. District Court judge ruled that the man’s perforated abdomen and subsequent infection were a direct result of substandard care by the U.S. Veterans’ Administration medical team.
Doctors disagreed during court proceedings
During the trial, doctors from the VA medical center disagreed about which one of them had personally inspected the patient’s abdomen after the hernia surgery. Sadly, at this time, the patient’s condition continues to worsen. As a result of the abdominal perforation and infection, he has lost all use of core muscles. The court has awarded the patient and his wife nearly $10 million for economic and compensatory damages.
Medical malpractice is problematic in Texas
There are stringent protocols, regulations and accepted safety standards in place to which all surgeons and medical teams must adhere. In this state and throughout the country, substandard medical care often results in severe, sometimes fatal injuries to patients. State law allows a recovering victim of medical malpractice or the immediate family member of a deceased victim to file a legal claim against any person or group deemed responsible for an injury. There are stringent protocols, regulations and accepted safety standards in place to which all surgeons and medical teams must adhere. Those who suffer injury because of medical negligence are guaranteed an opportunity to seek restitution if they choose to do so.