Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Medical Malpractice

Understanding Oregon Medical Malpractice Due to Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Medical Malpractice

Most people know that chemotherapy is used in the treatment of many different types of cancer. Chemotherapy can be quite effective in treating the cancer but also can cause unpleasant and serious side effects. Many people think of hair loss, nausea, vomiting and weight loss when they thing of side effects of chemotherapy. While these are quite common, another side effect that can be quite serious due to its potential for being permanent if not managed appropriately is peripheral neuropathy. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy medical malpractice.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when there is damage to the peripheral nerves that are outside of the brain and spinal cord. Neuropathy can affect people in a variety of ways, depending on what nerves are damaged. Sensory nerves can cause difficulty with a person’s ability to sense temperature correctly, sense feelings of touch, or even pain. A soft touch may be very painful for a person with peripheral neuropathy whose sensory nerves are damaged. Additionally, people with sensory nerve damage may experience significant numbness and tingling. If a patient’s motor nerves are damaged, this can also cause a variety of problems, including difficulty holding objects, difficulty buttoning or unbuttoning their clothing, or even difficulty with writing, drawing, texting, or typing. 

Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms

Peripheral neuropathy can greatly impair a person to function in their day to day lives due to their struggles with motor skills, sensory impairment and pain. If peripheral neuropathy is not appropriately managed, it can become permanent. Symptoms and signs of peripheral neuropathy include the following:

• Impaired ability or inability to write, type or text
• Dropping objects frequently 
• Impaired ability to sense hot and cold
• Impaired sensitivity to hot and cold
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Burning
• Difficulty picking up small objects
• Impaired finger dexterity
• Impaired ability to walk if peripheral nerves in the feet are affected
• Pain while walking
• Difficulty wearing socks and shoes due to pain, numbness, burning, or tingling 
• Pins and needles sensation in the fingertips or toes
• Loss of sensation

How Can Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy be Caused by Medical Medical Practice?

While peripheral neuropathy can be reversible if not enough damage has been done, if peripheral neuropathy is mismanaged, it can be permanent. Significant peripheral neuropathy can greatly affect a person’s day to day life, including affecting the ability for them to work, drive a car, care for their children, write, type, text, etc.Causes of medical malpractice related chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy includes the following:

• Incorrect dosing of a chemotherapy (prescribing too high of a dose)
• Administration of the wrong dose of chemotherapy (administering too high of a dose)
• Failing to intervene when a patient complains of peripheral neuropathy
• Failing to lower the dose of chemotherapy when the patient reports neuropathy that is worsening
• Failing to hold the dose for that cycle when the patient is reporting worsening neuropathy
• Failing to educate the patient about the potential risk of peripheral neuropathy 
• Administering chemotherapy too aggressively on a schedule that is too frequent and does not allow the patient to recover between cycles
• Failing to prescribe appropriate medication for peripheral neuropathy

Do You Have Peripheral Neuropathy from Chemotherapy?  You May Have a Claim in Oregon

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.