In the 21st century, blood transfusion is a relatively routine medical procedure made possible by replacing a patient’s blood with that of another person. Blood transfusion, which occurs through placing a tube in the receiving patient’s arm (intravenous), can be a life-saving procedure, yet some healthcare providers can perform this fairly straightforward medical procedure incorrectly and cause more harm than good.
Yes, a “botched blood transfusion” or a “blood transfusion gone wrong” is a real thing, and blood transfusion errors may be more common than you think. “A large percentage of medical malpractice lawsuits against hospitals and their staff members are filed as a result of blood transfusion mistakes,” says a Philadelphia blood transfusion injury attorney at The Weitz Firm, LLC.
You can be injured during a blood transfusion in a variety of circumstances, as the most common causes of botched blood transfusions include:
Any of these blood transfusion mistakes can lead to life-threatening injuries and illnesses, which can cause blood clots, infections, and even death.
Although blood transfusion is considered a safe and routine procedure, it does not mean that there is absolutely no risk of suffering harm during that medical procedure. More often than not, blood transfusions are ordered when a patient loses a substantial amount of blood during surgery or as a result of severe injury (for example, in a car accident).
While it may appear at first sight that blood transfusions are not a big deal and any medical professional is able to handle this procedure with his or her eyes closed, there is a lot that remains behind the curtains. Healthcare providers must adhere to specific safety standards during blood transfusions, as even the tiniest error in blood transfusion can cause serious infections, diseases, and even death.
You may be able to seek compensation for all damages and losses caused by your blood transfusion injury under the legal theory of medical malpractice. Doctors, physicians, surgeons, nurses, and all members of hospital staff have a legal duty to adhere to recognized standards of care. A healthcare provider is committing medical malpractice by breaching that duty and causing your injury.
An experienced blood transfusion injury attorney in Philadelphia or elsewhere in Pennsylvania can help you establish liability for your injury and collect evidence proving that a medical professional violated the accepted standards of care. Determining whether or not a healthcare provider did something that fell below the recognized standard of care when performing a blood transfusion is not something that can be done on your own without seeking legal advice, especially when you are undergoing treatment to deal with the infection or any other complications caused by the doctor’s medical error.
That’s why you should not hesitate to speak to our medical malpractice lawyers at The Weitz Firm, LLC, to discuss your case and recover damages. Call our offices to get a free consultation.
We are highly selective in the cases we undertake to ensure that can give each client his full attention. You can schedule an appointment for a personal injury consultation at our Philadelphia office by calling us, or by filling out our online intake form.
