How Are Families Affected by Medical Mistakes?
Medical mistakes can severely affect the lives of patients and their families. It would be unfair to suggest that only the patients suffer when errors are made by doctors or hospitals. Some of these errors can cause severe disabilities, meaning parents, siblings, significant others or children are tasked with providing round-the-clock care. The costs of medical mistakes on families are devastating.
For example, an 18-year-old Florida woman was left severely brain damaged from a botched plastic surgery. During the surgery, her heart rate and blood pressure dropped significantly, and oxygen was cut off to her brain. She was in a coma for weeks. When she finally woke up, she could no longer walk or speak. Doctors have said she will never make a full recovery. The girl’s mother has now become her full-time caretaker.
The Costs of Medical Mistakes on Families
Having a disabled family member can cause mental health problems such as lower self-esteem, guilt, blame, anxiety and depression. This is especially true when the family member in question is a child.
In addition, caring for a disabled family member can incur steep medical costs. In some cases, homes will need to be modified. Transportation and special food may become necessary. Equipment such as wheel chairs, special beds and furniture may also be needed. If the family member previously held a job, lost income is another financial cost to consider.
Medical mistakes are often preventable. Patients and their families should not have to suffer from circumstances that could have been avoided. However, it is possible to hold health care providers and hospitals accountable for making mistakes.
The Florida medical malpractice attorneys at Shapiro Law Group can help patients and families who have been harmed by medical mistakes.
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