In other places we’ve talked about the various serious medical problems that our clients deal with, such as: kidney failure, loss of a limb, and even death. Some of the problems that people encounter are related to Diabetes. Some people call us because they know their diabetes has caused a problem and sometimes we find out that a person who has called us with a problem is a diabetic whose diabetes has not been handled properly.
Diabetes falls into three main categories: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body produces little to no insulin, and is more common in children;
- Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can’t properly use the insulin being produced or when the body cannot produce enough insulin, and
- Gestational Diabetes occurs only during pregnancy, but increases the child and mother’s risk of developing diabetes.
In days gone by, diabetes was either controlled by diet or insulin. Today, there are both oral and injectable medications that will help to control blood sugar instead of or in addition to insulin.
Diabetics run into trouble when their blood sugars are allowed to drop too low or allowed to remain too high. Problems related to low blood sugar tend to be sudden and severe and may lead to dizziness or light-headedness, seizures, coma, and even death. Problems related to high blood sugar tend to occur over time and cause changes such as: kidney failure, decreased blood flow to the legs, blindness, and heart failure. Diabetics can also have difficulty with healing, and may be more susceptible to infections than non-diabetics.
Do I Have a Lawsuit?
In the medical malpractice arena, the plaintiff (the person bringing the lawsuit) must prove that a healthcare provider (the defendant) violated the standard of the care and that the substandard care of the healthcare provider caused harm. If you think you may have a lawsuit related to your diabetes, then you should give us a call. During your initial call with us, we may ask you a series of questions about your blood glucose (A1c) levels, your overall physical history (weight, age, other health conditions), whether you have a family history of diabetes, dates of treatments and evaluations, names of medical facilities where you received treatment, and other relevant factors that might be helpful in evaluating your case. We may also ask how mismanagement of your diabetes has negatively affected your life. Some examples of negative effects include:
- Requiring surgery or surgeries
- Inability to work or perform normal tasks and activities
- Immobility
If, after speaking with you, we believe that your healthcare provider may have been negligent in managing your diabetes, then we may ask to review your medical records. This process involves looking over your lab results, doctor notes, nursing notes, operative reports, discharge summaries, and diagnostic testing. The next step would involve obtaining a medical expert who is willing to testify that your healthcare provider violated the standard of care in managing/treating/detecting your diabetes and that that substandard care caused you harm.
If you believe you or a loved one has suffered from mismanagement of diabetes, do not hesitate to get in touch with a medical malpractice attorney at Keches Law Group. Our team of experienced, dedicated attorneys will fight for you in this trying time.
The medical malpractice department at Keches Law Group can help you figure out whether you have a case, and what steps to take next. Call Keches Law Group at 617-898-0808 for a free consultation today, or visit us online.
