Your Maine Spinal Epidural Abscess Lawyers

An abscess is a pocket of bacteria or fungus – pus – that can develop in the body’s tissues, usually due to an underlying infection. A spinal epidural abscess occurs within the spine and can result from other infections elsewhere in the body, particularly urinary tract infections. A spinal epidural abscess can also develop after back surgery if health care providers do not adequately monitor the patient for infection.

The dangers of a spinal epidural abscess are due to the infected area’s compression of the spinal cord and spinal roots, as well as its interference with arterial blood supply, all of which can cause motor dysfunction and, ultimately, paralysis and death.

Spinal Epidural Abscess Injuries and Medical Malpractice

As one scientific study of spinal epidural abscesses noted, “The most important prognostic factor for a favorable outcome is early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.” Often, however, physicians who evaluate a patient with signs of a spinal abscess such as back pain and fever fail to consider the condition or do not order the appropriate laboratory screens or critical diagnostic tests like an MRI and blood cultures, which could confirm the presence of an abscess. Even though a spinal epidural abscess is a medical emergency, to save money, tragically, some hospitals do not perform MRIs at every spinal level – taking a stage approach – which can delay diagnosis hours or even days.

When found early, most spinal epidural abscesses can be effectively treated with antibiotics, though some may require surgery. However, failing to diagnose a spinal epidural abscess can allow the infection to progress to the point where effective treatment is no longer possible, and permanent injury or death are likely outcomes. This negligent failure to diagnose the condition can be an act of medical malpractice that could lead to the recovery of damages.

In addition to missed and delayed diagnoses, the failure to monitor a patient for signs of infection after back surgery – and after outpatient procedures, in particular – may constitute medical negligence.

Damages Recoverable for Spinal Epidural Injuries Caused by Medical Negligence

As noted, an untreated spinal epidural abscess can cause life-altering, permanent injuries and is often fatal. The practical, economic, emotional, and psychological challenges that follow can overwhelm victims and their families. Permanent paralysis and disability mean life will never be the same, and the loss of a loved one leaves families struggling to move forward and searching for answers about how such a tragedy occurred.

Damages recoverable for spinal abscess injuries or death caused by medical negligence include:

• Past and future medical expenses.
• Lost wages and loss of future earning potential.
• Pain and suffering.
• Loss of companionship.
• Loss of quality of life.
• The costs of ongoing rehabilitation, therapy, medical equipment, or modifications to the home necessitated by the injury.

How Berman & Simmons Can Help

Medicine is complicated. So is the law. Determining whether an act of medical malpractice occurred and obtaining compensation for injuries requires an in-depth understanding of both. At Berman & Simmons, our attorneys combine their legal talents with extensive medical knowledge and work closely with the world’s leading and most highly credentialed medical experts to get our clients the maximum amount of compensation available.

We understand the struggles that victims of medical malpractice face, including those who suffer preventable spinal epidural abscess injuries. When you speak with us at your free initial consultation, we will carefully and patiently listen to your story as part of our comprehensive effort to understand what happened. We will then bring our extensive experience and unmatched resources on your behalf, developing solutions that can make your life better, including obtaining payment for or deferral of your debts until we resolve your case.

Please contact Berman & Simmons today at (207) 417-4199 to arrange your free consultation. You pay nothing unless we obtain compensation for you by settlement or jury verdict. Our Maine medical malpractice lawyers are ready to help you through this difficult time so you can recover and rebuild your life.

• You may need to discuss whether an autopsy is necessary to prove that the negligence caused a love one’s death.
• Obtaining complete medical records from hospitals and other providers is a daunting task.
• Maine’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases is short in comparison to the statute of limitations for general personal injury claims.
• Important evidence may be lost or degraded over time.
• You’ll need help navigating your medical care and dealing with financial pressures.
• You need peace of mind to focus on your recovery.