Construction workers in Oregon occasionally suffer serious injuries. Sometimes the injuries cause permanent damage that require continuous care and medication. A case of this nature has resulted in a case of medical negligence concerning a prescription pain medication.
A gentleman was seriously injured in a trench cave-in. The accident caused severe injuries that left the gentleman with a high level of pain. Doctors installed a morphine pump in his abdomen in order to give him a way to control his pain. There was a prescription in place for refills.
In Dec. 2016 the gentleman went to a local medical facility to receive a refill for his pump. The prescription called for the medication to be added to the pump, which would then dispense the medication over time to provide pain relief to the patient. In this instance, the refill was improperly injected causing the patient to receive the entire dose all at once and resulting in an overdose. The lifesaving efforts that ensued caused broken ribs, repeated strokes and a decline in the patient’s physical and mental health.
Patients go to doctors and health care facilities in Oregon expecting that proper procedures will be carried out on their behalf. When a patient does not receive the care he or she has been prescribed, the results can be catastrophic. In such an instance, the patient may benefit from seeking the counsel of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. An experienced lawyer can review with the patient what legal avenues are open to him or her and if a case exists for a claim of medical negligence. A successfully litigated claim may help with compensation for medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering.