Abstract View of Urban Scene and Skyscrapers
AV Preeminent
Justia Lawyer Rating
American Association for Justice

Post-Operative Hemorrhages


Ocala Lawyers for Medical Malpractice

Post-operative hemorrhage happens when there is bleeding after surgery. Sometimes hemorrhaging begins immediately after the surgery, but in other cases, it is delayed. The bleeding may come from the incision, or it may come from tissues that can't be stopped from bleeding. Post-operative hemorrhage can also happen as a result of the blood's inability to clot, or clips or ties around the blood vessels weakening. If you suspect you were harmed as a result of a healthcare provider's failure to appropriately prevent or address post-operative hemorrhaging, you should consult an experienced Ocala medical malpractice attorney.

Post-Operative Hemorrhages

Post-operative hemorrhages are common complications that can occur after any surgery. The hemorrhage may involve primary bleeding, which happens during the operation. Generally, a surgeon should try to resolve this during the surgery and record the hemorrhage in the medical notes, and the patient should be carefully monitored after the surgery. There is also reactive bleeding, which happens within 24 hours of surgery. This can occur because of a vessel that was missed during the surgery due to alterations in blood pressure. There is also secondary bleeding, which happens 7-10 days after a surgery. It involves erosion of a vessel from an infection that has spread. Often this type of hemorrhage is observed when a wound is significantly contaminated and is closed.

Symptoms of hemorrhagic shock include dizziness, agitation, tachycardia, visible bleeding, raised respiratory rate, or lowered urine output. When a patient is being examined, there should be a search for discoloration, bleeding, disproportionate tenderness, peritonism, and systematic palpation of the surgical area. If a healthcare provider suspects there is post-operative bleeding, he or she is supposed to respond quickly and efficiently to manage the situation. The appropriate response may be direct pressure, an urgent blood transfusion, or an urgent senior surgical review.

A healthcare provider who doesn't respond appropriately to post-operative hemorrhages may be held liable for medical malpractice. To establish medical malpractice, you'll need to prove it is more likely than not that the following occurred: (1) the health care provider owed you a professional duty of care, (2) breach of duty, (3) actual or proximate causation, and (4) actual damages. While it is generally clear whether or not there is a doctor-patient relationship, we must usually hire a knowledgeable expert from the same field as the defendant in order to provide an opinion about what the professional standard of care was in that situation and how the doctor breached that standard of care, as well as whether the breach caused injuries.

Damages arising out of a post-operative hemorrhage that causes injuries include medical expenses, lost income, lost earning capacity, loss of enjoyment, and pain and suffering. However, if a loved one passed away as a result of post-operative injuries, it may be possible to bring a claim for wrongful death under Florida law. Medical malpractice is a leading cause for wrongful death lawsuits. Whether it was a doctor, nurse, or hospital that was professionally negligent in caring for your loved one and this caused their death, you may be able to hold them liable, and a knowledgeable injury lawyer can help.

The Florida Wrongful Death Act controls what types of damages are available and who can obtain damages through a medical malpractice lawsuit. It may be possible to recover for medical bills caused by the post-operative hemorrhage for funeral expenses and for lost net accumulations of the estate. Spouses can recover for their own intangible damages like loss of companionship and pain and suffering. When the decedent was employed, spouses can recover the value of lost services and lost economic support. Other relatives who depend on the decedent for services or support may also recover for the value of lost support or services. This can include children, siblings, grandparents, and others.

Consult an Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Ocala

At the Dean Law Firm, our aggressive and experienced Ocala trial attorneys may be able to recover damages on your behalf if you or a loved one has been injured by a post-operative hemorrhage. We serve patients harmed by medical negligence all through Florida, including those in Crystal River, The Villages, and other communities throughout Levy, Citrus, Marion, Lake, and Sumter Counties. Contact us at 352-387-8700 or through our online form.