Injuries from Colonoscopy Medical Malpractice

 

Preventative screening is something that every individual should undergo at the designated appropriate times per medical guidelines. Common screening includes mammograms for breast cancer, ct scans for people  who have a history of smoking, prostate cancer screening, and colonoscopies for colorectal cancer screening. While these procedures are generally routine with risks being low, unfortunately there are some people who experience serious complications. An example of this is medical complications from routine colonoscopies. While it cannot be said that every error made during colonoscopies are due to medical malpractice, many are. Colonoscopies are routine procedures, meaning patients should not suffer life-threatening complications. When patients suffer harm during routine procedures such as colonoscopies and it is due to a physician’s error, it is considered to be medical malpractice. 

 

What is a Colonoscopy?

 

A colonoscopy is a medical procedure in which a flexible tube with a light is inserted into the rectum to allow the physician visualization of the colon. It allows the physician to see if there are any polyps, masses, inflammation, obstruction, or many other potential abnormalities. Colonoscopies are often does as routine screening, but can be done diagnostically if a person is having concerning symptoms that warrant further investigation. 

 

Injuries From Colonoscopies

 

Most people suffer no issues from a colonoscopy. However, there are some patients who are not as fortunate. Potential injuries from colonoscopies include the following:

 

• Hemorrhage (bleeding)
• Bowel perforation
• Sepsis
• Splenic rupture or tear
• Wrongful death
• Anesthesia reactions

 

These are just a few of the many complications that can occur as a result of mistakes made during a colonoscopy. It is important to note that not all complications are due to physician error,  but many are and thus should be fully investigated. 

 

Medical Malpractice Related to Performing a Colonoscopy

 

As mentioned above, there are many injuries that a person can sustain as a result of undergoing a colonoscopy even though it is generally considered to be a routine procedure. There are some errors that a physician can make that can lead to any of the above injuries, as well as diagnostic errors. Examples of colonoscopy medical malpractice include the following:

 

• Passage of the scope through a colon that is dilated
• Failure to diagnose colon cancer
• Failure to remove a polyp, leading to cancer
• Physical manipulation mistakes of the scope leading to bowel perforation, splenic rupture, hemorrhage, or many other complications 
• Failure to correct a bowel perforation
• Failing to fully inform a patient of potential risks prior to conducting a colonoscopy 
• Failure to use sterile technique leading to infection

 

These are just some examples of colonoscopy medical malpractice. It is important to note that even if a patient experiences a complication that is a recognized risk of the procedure (i.e. bowel perforation), it does not mean that it cannot be due to medical malpractice. This is why if a person suffers significant harm from a routine procedure such as a colonoscopy, it is best to have the case evaluated to ensure that the patient was provided the appropriate standard of care and that no mistake was made leading to the patient’s harm. 

 

Get Help For Injuries from Colonoscopy Medical Malpractice

 

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.