Gangrene after pinky surgery leads to medical malpractice claim
It is not uncommon for residents of California and elsewhere who suffered injuries to want to give it some time to see if the pain will subside. Ignoring pain may not be a good idea, as it could lead to conditions that are even more serious. A California man whose injured finger caused relentless pain filed a medical malpractice claim against a doctor’s office, claiming a doctor’s mistake.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff says he hurt his pinky while taking part in a game of hurling. Although experiencing pain, he ignored it for some time but ultimately decided to consult with the defendant. The doctor apparently determined that there was a small fracture, along with a dislocation of the finger. Although surgery would generally not be required after such an injury, the fact that eight weeks had expired since the injury necessitated minor surgery.
Following the surgery, the plaintiff claims to have experienced a throbbing pain in the bandaged pinky. He apparently called the doctor’s office, asking whether he could remove the bandage, as the tightness may be the cause of the pain; however, someone other than the doctor told him that removing the bandage may allow infection to develop. As the pain got more intense over the following days, he reportedly phoned the office once more and got the same response. He claims that, upon the scheduled post-surgery consultation after 14 days, a black pinky was revealed when the bandage was removed. The doctor allegedly gave no explanation and said the finger’s condition had to be monitored.
The plaintiff states that he went to another doctor for a second opinion, and it was diagnosed as dry gangrene that resulted from the lack of continuous blood supply. His pinky was subsequently amputated, which gave rise to the current lawsuit. California patients who believe they have suffered the consequences of doctors’ mistakes — and can obtain evidence to show negligence — may pursue financial recovery by filing medical malpractice claims in a civil court.
Source: NBC San Diego, “Simple Surgery Leads to Amputation for San Diego Man“, Danya Bacchus, April 26, 2015
