Burke, VA Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer Fighting for Injured Patients in Burke, Virginia

Whether a person makes a routine visit to their doctor's office, goes to an emergency room to address a serious medical issue, or undergoes a complex surgical procedure that will require a hospital stay, they expect to receive high-quality medical care. Doctors, nurses, and other providers should attend to their needs, keep them informed about their treatment options, and follow the right procedures when providing care. Unfortunately, medical professionals may not provide the level of care that is required, and their negligence can lead to serious injuries.

When a person has been affected by medical malpractice, the attorney at Shevlin Smith, P.C. can provide guidance on the steps they can take to obtain compensation for their damages. He will give honest answers about how a case may be handled, the amount of compensation a person may be able to receive, and the issues that will be addressed as a case proceeds. By treating clients with compassion and providing personal attention, he works to ensure that families will have the resources to address the harm that has been done.

Birth Injuries

While a child's birth should be a happy event, there are some cases where birth injuries can occur because of the negligence of delivery room nurses, obstetricians, or others involved in labor and delivery. Our firm can help determine who is responsible for medical malpractice during childbirth, and we will work to help families secure compensation that will help meet the ongoing needs of their children.

Injuries to Babies

Some of the most serious birth injuries may be caused by oxygen deprivation affecting a baby during labor and delivery. If nurses do not monitor a mother and baby correctly and do not recognize fetal distress, or delivery room personnel do not perform an emergency C-section or take other steps to protect a child that is experiencing fetal distress, a lack of oxygen can lead to serious brain injuries and cerebral palsy or other developmental disorders.

Erb's palsy and other brachial plexus injuries may occur during delivery. When a baby becomes stuck in the birth canal, tools like vacuum extractors or forceps or other methods may be used to assist with the delivery. However, if too much force or improper techniques are used, injuries affecting the nerves in the shoulder and upper arm may occur. This may lead to permanent damage and lifelong disabilities.

In some cases, traumatic injuries may occur during delivery, such as skull fractures or other broken bones. Infections may occur if medical personnel do not take the proper steps to protect a child from harmful pathogens. Other injuries may involve the failure to recognize and treat conditions like jaundice or low blood sugar.

Injuries to Mothers

In addition to birth injuries affecting children, mothers may be harmed by negligence during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or the postpartum period. Hemorrhaging can be a serious issue that may put a mother's health at risk, and if steps are not taken to control bleeding, maternal death may occur. If doctors do not recognize preeclampsia, which can occur when high blood pressure threatens a mother's health, this condition may lead to organ failure or other forms of serious harm. Other issues may also cause harm to mothers, including sepsis, complications during C-sections, or pulmonary embolisms, and the failure to address these issues correctly may lead to ongoing health issues or disabilities.

Surgical Errors

When patients undergo surgery, they trust that the medical professionals involved in a procedure will follow the correct steps to protect their health. Unfortunately, negligence may occur in these situations, and surgical errors may cause serious injuries.

Some errors related to surgery may occur during the planning stage. A surgeon may fail to fully assess a patient's condition, causing them to miss issues that could lead to complications or threaten a patient's overall health. If they do not verify the specific procedure being performed and the location where it should occur, they may perform surgery on the wrong body part. In some cases, errors may result in operations being performed on the wrong patient.

Errors can also occur during surgical procedures. A surgeon may damage organs or tissues inside a person's body, leading to ongoing health issues. Damage to blood vessels can lead to severe bleeding, or nerve damage may lead to chronic pain, loss of sensation, or an inability to use certain body parts. Organ damage, such as perforation of the bowels or bladder, can also lead to serious health problems.

A patient may suffer injuries if objects are left inside their body when a surgical procedure has been completed. Sponges, clamps, or other objects inside the body can lead to infections, chronic pain, or other problems that may affect a person's overall health long after surgery. Additional surgeries may be needed to remove these objects or correct damage that has occurred.

Anesthesia errors during surgery may be another concern. An overdose of anesthesia can lead to cardiovascular problems or brain damage. An allergic reaction to anesthesia may cause a severe response that can put a person's life at risk. An anesthesiologist who fails to monitor a patient and respond to complications that arise may be responsible for serious injuries that occur.

Contact Our Burke, Virginia Medical Malpractice Lawyer

In addition to the issues described above, patients may suffer harm because doctors misdiagnose medical conditions. Medication errors may occur that result in a person receiving the wrong drug or the wrong dose. Emergency room errors may prevent a person from receiving the proper treatment for a serious injury or illness. At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our lawyer can help address these issues or other forms of medical negligence that cause patients to suffer harm. Contact our Burke medical negligence attorney at 703-591-0067 and arrange a free consultation to learn how we can assist with these types of cases.