Our Connecticut readers will likely be interested in this medical malpractice story. A woman from one of our Southern states has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against a physician and his clinic for failure to diagnose a pulmonary embolism during a cosmetic surgery procedure.

The woman was a long-time patient of the doctor, having several procedures done over the years. The court papers stated the doctor would come by her home after the procedures to make sure she was doing all right.

In July 2014, the woman underwent laser liposuction. It was the final segment of a surgery that had been done about 18 months earlier. The woman alleges she told the doctor that she was in pain before he started the surgery. Afterward, the pain increased, and she was given Demerol.

The pain did not decrease, according to the lawsuit, and she started having difficulty breathing. She was seen in a local hospital’s emergency room, where doctors realized she had a pulmonary embolism. The doctors told her she was fortunate to have lived.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount when it comes to damages. Those damages include medical expenses, emotional and physical pain and suffering, and loss of income.

Medical malpractice and negligence can occur during any medical procedure or treatment, even elective procedures like cosmetic surgery. Doctors are still required to meet the required standard of care. When this is not met and the patient suffers because of it, the physician, medical staff and/or facilities can all be held liable.

An experienced personal injury attorney can provide more information on how to proceed with a civil lawsuit in medical malpractice cases.

Source: The Louisiana Record, “Liposuction patient sues doctor claiming medical malpractice” Kyle Barnett, Feb. 18, 2015