The Indiana medical malpractice lawyers at Garau Germano Hanley & Pennington, P.C. are frequently faced with cases involving deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis (or DVT) is a condition where a blood clot forms in one or more the body’s deep veins, usually in the lower legs.
The major risk from DVT is a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a piece of the clot breaks off and travels to the lung. A pulmonary embolism can have serious consequences for the patient, including sudden death.
Hospital patients who have been immobilized for prolonged periods of time or who have undergone major surgery are particularly susceptible to DVT and resulting pulmonary embolism. Doctors can reduce the risk of DVT and pulmonary embolism through the use of medications and other methods.
The failure to take appropriate steps to prevent DVT may be malpractice. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can evaluate such claims and help determine whether legal action is appropriate.