Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Arlington

Our medical malpractice lawyer in Arlington represents clients who have been harmed as a result of healthcare negligence. Some of the cases we handle include medical errors, birth injuries, nursing home abuse, bedsores, and sepsis.

Facts about Arlington, Texas

Arlington, Texas is part of the Mid-Cities region comprised of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area. Arlington is the third-largest city in the metropolitan area, and is the seventh-largest city in Texas. The population in Arlington is mainly comprised of families and young professionals. Of the 365,000 people living in the city, more than 90,000 households are families. Neighborhoods like Dalworthington Gardens are sought-after places to live.

The population is very diverse, partially due to the presence of the University of Texas at Arlington. ‘The population of Arlington is comprised of:

• Caucasian – 59%
• Hispanic – 27.4%
• African American – 18.8%
• Asian – 6.8%
• Native American – 0.7%
• Pacific Islander – 0.1%

Education, sports, and tourism are all popular features in Arlington. The University of Texas at Arlington is the largest university situated in Northern Texas. With more than 40,000 students, the school is a large contributor to the economy as well. Arlington is home to the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and the Dallas Wings. In the way of tourism, Arlington offers Six Flags Over Texas and the famed AT&T Stadium.

The healthcare environment in Arlington is also healthy, providing more than 4,000 jobs in the area. Arlington’s healthcare system is home to more than 500 physicians, and has some of the most advanced medical facilities in the region. USMD Hospital at Arlington is one of the more advanced hospitals in the region, with a focus on technology, robotics, and innovation.

Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Arlington

We go to the doctor or hospital when we are sick or injured and need help.  We put our trust in those working in healthcare to provide the best care possible, using their training to help us get better.  While most healthcare providers are capable and have good intentions, medical mistakes are a very real – very alarming – risk.

When medical mistakes happen, of course you are in a state of disbelief, anxiety, and likely anger.  You want answers, and you want those responsible to be held accountable.  That is where the Arlington medical malpractice attorneys at MedMalFirm.com can help.  Our attorneys are dedicated to helping clients just like you find answers and pursue the best outcome possible for your situation.

Medical mistakes have devastating consequences for victims and their families.

It has been estimated that between 220,000 and 440,000 people die every year as a result of preventable medical mistakes.  That is an incredible estimate, and does not take into account the number of people injured, or the loved ones affected by these injuries.  What makes these estimates even more alarming is the fact that most of the medical errors reported were the result of human error, poor decision-making, or errors in communication.

Examples of Medical Mistakes that Constitute Medical Malpractice

• Missed or delayed diagnosis
• Medication errors
• Anesthesia errors
• Surgical errors
• Improper prenatal care
• Failure to order a C-section in a timely manner

At MedMalFirm.com, we know that every patient has the right to quality care that meets accepted standards.  Our medical malpractice lawyer in Arlington is dedicated to helping victims of medical malpractice hold the responsible party accountable, and get the compensation they deserve.

If you or someone you love has been injured by medical malpractice, a birth injury, or nursing home abuse, contact us today to learn more about your legal rights.

Birth Injury Lawyer in Arlington

Even in the best of circumstances giving birth is difficult, and can be chaotic. Advances in medical technology have made the childbirth process more simplified, but doctors and nurses still have a huge responsibility to properly monitor mother and child and recognize any signs of complications. Doctors and nurses are also responsible for using equipment, tools, and medications properly.

Serious Birth Injuries Caused by Negligence

• Brain damage
• Cerebral palsy
• Shoulder dystocia
• Brachial plexus injuries
• Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
• Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
• Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
• Broken bones

When a birth injury occurs, it is up to the victim to prove that a healthcare provider violated the standards of care, or was negligent. This can be a difficult process, especially in the aftermath of a traumatic situation. At MedMalFirm.com, our medical malpractice lawyer in Arlington will help you sort through the details of your situation and will offer legal guidance that works in your best interests. Our goal is to get the best resolution possible for your case, and for your family.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Arlington

When placing a cherished family member in a nursing home, we do so with the expectation that the staff in the facility will care for our loved one with the same level of care and diligence as we would do ourselves. We expect professionalism, respectful treatment, competent medical care, and clean cheerful living conditions. When a facility fails to meet these expectations, contact a medical malpractice lawyer in Arlington who has experience with nursing home abuse cases.

Unfortunately, efforts to maximize profit by understaffing, employing under-qualified staff, or cutting corners results in dirty, neglectful conditions in which residents don’t receive the care they need. At MedMalFirm.com, we know all too well that many facilities focus far more on profits than they do the care of their residents. In these facilities, abuse and neglect is not uncommon.

It can be very easy to miss nursing home abuse because of the expectation of trust for the nursing home to look after and care for their residents.

Why Nursing Home Abuse Occurs

No one wants to assume the worst of caregivers. However, some profit-seeking facilities set up their staff to fail, and when this happens, neglect and abuse can occur. Most nursing homes and assisted living facilities are for-profit institutions. While there is nothing wrong with running a for-profit business, an unwavering focus on the bottom line in these institutions is often the cause of unsuitable living conditions for nursing home residents.

Spot a potentially dangerous situation for your loved one by paying close attention to the staff.

• Do they seem stressed out or overworked?
• Does it seem as though there are too few caregivers to adequately meet the needs of the residents?
• Have you found the conditions in the nursing home to be unsanitary or cluttered?

Talk with your loved one about their experiences with the staff.

• Do they have ready access to a caregiver throughout the day?
• Do they wait long if they call for help?
• If your loved one is immobile, is a staff member available to turn them regularly?
• Does your loved one have bedsores?

Very often we consider nursing home care specifically for the purpose of meeting the medical needs of a loved one which we don’t feel qualified to provide.

• Does the staff at your loved one’s nursing home seem qualified to perform the medical procedures and dispense the medication or therapy your loved needs?
• Does your loved one complain about rough or inept treatment from under-qualified staff?
• Has your loved one’s overall health declined since they became a resident in the nursing home?
• Have they mentioned missing medication?

Significance of the Problem of Nursing Home Neglect

The significance of nursing home abuse and neglect is tremendous. The population of Americans over 85 is expected to grow to more than 14 million by 2050. That is a tremendous number of Americans needing long-term care, such as that provided by nursing homes.

Unfortunately, the number of Americans suffering abuse or neglect in nursing homes is even more striking. Our nursing home abuse lawyer in Arlington has personally seen how devastating abuse and neglect are.

Nursing homes should be places of comfort, care, and rest, but unfortunately, statistics show that across the U.S., there are millions of cases of abuse or neglect every year. Many of the reports of abuse or neglect are very similar in nature to the ones identified in the investigation discussed above.

Pressure Ulcer Lawyer in Arlington

One of the most tragic circumstances an elderly person can find themselves in is being under the care of someone who has no knowledge or training in caregiving. Sadly, many elderly Americans find themselves in just that situation – sometimes in a nursing home or hospital, or sometimes under the care of someone in their own home. 

Caregivers who are improperly trained or are careless may not understand the importance of preventing pressure ulcers, or managing wounds that develop.

When a patient is not able to reposition themselves, they must rely on a caregiver to help them redistribute their weight and find a comfortable position. There is simply no acceptable reason why a patient would develop a pressure ulcer in a professional care facility. These potentially life-threatening and painful wounds are 100% preventable.

Signs of a Pressure Sore

• Redness or irritation of the affected area
• Pain or discomfort
• Skin that is warm to the touch
• Presence of a blister or wound
• Skin deterioration or opening
• Foul odor coming from a wound

Pressure ulcers are the leading cause of preventable death in healthcare settings. Preventable is the key word here – patients should not be dying to these wounds.

Pressure ulcers, also called bedsores or decubitus ulcers, are preventable by following certain healthcare guidelines. Decubitus ulcer prevention guidelines from the American College Of Physicians require caregivers to do the following:

• Perform risk assessment on every patient
• Use advanced static mattresses and overlays for at-risk patients
• Avoid alternating-air mattresses or overlays
• Reposition patients at least every two hours
• Conduct daily skin inspections

When wounds do develop, early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing wound progression, infection, or life-threatening illness.

Failing to follow healthcare guidelines and get medical attention when necessary can be a sign of abuse or neglect.

If you are concerned about the level of care that you or a loved one are being provided, or have developed a decubitus ulcer as a result of negligent care, contact MedMalFirm.com today. Our medical malpractice lawyer in Arlington can investigate the care you have received and help you protect your health and legal rights.

Bowel Perforation Lawyer in Arlington

Many people confuse complications or poor medical outcomes with medical negligence. This is especially true for patients who are injured during a surgical procedure. It can be difficult to determine if an injury like a bowel perforation was caused by a medical issue or a surgical mistake. Anyone who is concerned about surgical errors should contact an Arlington bowel perforation attorney before taking any legal action.

Bowel Perforations and the Standard of Care

Every surgical patient has a right to be diligently monitored for complications. Prior to any surgical procedure, patients listen to and sign waivers regarding the known risks and complications of their procedure. Bowel perforations are, in fact, a known risk of most abdominal procedures. That is why it can be tricky to determine whether a bowel perforation injury is an unfavorable outcome, or if it is actually medical malpractice.

Since every human body is different, everyone reacts uniquely to surgery. Some people are simply more prone to complications than others. For this reason, the role of postoperative monitoring is vitally important for all surgical patients. And for this reason, postoperative monitoring specifically for bowel perforation is the standard of care for virtually all abdominal surgeries.

Diligent monitoring in the post-operative phase should translate into prompt and timely treatment of any complications that do arise. In the absence of responsible postoperative monitoring, complications from bowel perforations are usually medical malpractice.

If you have experienced a bowel perforation following surgery, find out whether you have a case by seeking the advice of an Arlington bowel perforation attorney.

What Kind of Surgeries Risk a Bowel Perforation?

Virtually all surgeries in the abdomen risk a bowel perforation. The risk is twofold, either:

• The surgeon’s hand can slip and directly injure the bowel, or
• Intestinal tissue disturbed by the surgery becomes damaged or weak and then ruptures after surgery.

Some of the surgeries most commonly associated with bowel perforations include:

• Appendectomy
• Gallstone/Gallbladder removal
• Hysterectomy
• Cesarean section (C-section)
• Colonoscopy
• Bladder repair
• Laparoscopic surgery
• Bariatric surgery, including gastric bypass

When is a Bowel Perforation Medical Malpractice?

Not all bowel perforations are medical malpractice. If a surgeon makes a mistake or uses an improper technique that directly causes injury to the bowel during surgery, he or she may have committed malpractice. This is determined by reviewing if the mistake caused measurable damage to the patient.

Many times when surgeons slip and cut the intestine during abdominal surgery, someone on the surgical team notices it and the surgeon can perform a repair during the surgery without any lasting damage to the patient. This is not the favorable course of action, but it does happen.

Perforations during surgery that go unnoticed and allow fecal bacteria to escape into the body cavity are almost always malpractice. Likewise, bowel perforation that happens as a complication of surgery becomes increasingly dangerous as time passes without treatment. Failing to diagnose or treat a bowel perforation, or misdiagnosing one, may also constitute medical malpractice.

When to Call a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Arlington

If any of these situations resonate with you and your family, contact MedMalFirm.com to speak with our medical malpractice lawyer in Arlington. We will help you stand up against neglect and abuse, and will work hard to get you and your family the compensation and justice you deserve.

To learn more about how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from caregiver abuse or neglect, contact MedMalFirm.com for a free consultation. Call us at 877-887-4850, or fill out our online form to get started.