North Carolina relies heavily on its medical care infrastructure, which exemplifies the industrial success of the state. Physicians are respected members of society who are arguably the most important part of it. But the trust we give them may be horribly misplaced if health care leads to more problems than a person already had.
The highest amount of damages awarded by a jury in a civil court in Ashe County has just been recorded in a medical malpractice case. A man received more than $800,000 for economic damages and other compensation after a problematic spine surgery.
The victim suffered excruciating pain as a side effect after a surgery to correct a spinal condition. He alleges that the surgeon’s office did not return calls for several days regarding the pain, even after a stay in an emergency room at a local hospital. The case also details further delays by the surgeon’s office after the man was transferred back to their care.
The case states that the delays in treatment for the man’s spinal condition also led to permanent spinal cord injury. This problem kept the man from returning to work, which led to economic damages in the case. Medical malpractice can adversely affect people’s careers when the consequences are this serious.
Potential victims of medical malpractice always have the right to explore the option of suing physicians, insurers or hospitals if they may be implicated in the troubles. An attorney can advise on the best approach to a health problem after a surgery, treatment or failure of a health care professional to properly treat people in need.