Denver Spinal Epidural Abscess Attorneys
We Get Compensation for Spinal Epidural Abscesses Caused by Medical Malpractice
Spinal epidural abscesses are dangerous. This spinal infection can lead to pain, physical weakness, paralysis, and even death. That worst part? A spinal epidural abscess is most often caused by a negligent surgeon who failed to properly sanitize all surgical materials before surgery.
If you have developed a spinal epidural abscess, chances are high that it is due to a negligent medical professional. You are likely in a lot of pain and scared about your future. At Leventhal Puga Braley P.C., we understand. We have worked on countless medical malpractice cases and have seen the damage that negligent doctors and nurses can cause.
The spinal epidural abscess malpractice lawyers at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. have been recognized by Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell, two of the leading independent rating agencies in the nation, for providing our clients with outstanding service.
Call our firm at (303) 759-9945 to schedule a no-cost consultation today.
What Is a Spinal Epidural Abscess?
A spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is an infection that develops in the spine. This infection rarely develops on its own. It usually results from some sort of cut or incision that introduces bacteria to the spine. These infections usually involve the development of a pocket of pus near or on the epidural space, which is between the two outermost layers of the meningeal layer, a membrane that covers both the brain and the spinal cord.
Early warning signs that this dangerous infection has developed include:
- Fever
- Tenderness in the spine
- Pain in the area of infection
- Shooting pain that impacts the surrounding area
- Weakness in the limbs
- Paralysis
If you notice these symptoms following a deep cut, incision, or surgery on your back, you should immediately seek out medical assistance. It is very possible that you have developed an SEA, which could put your life at extreme risk.
What Are the Dangers of Spinal Epidural Abscesses?
When it comes to SEAs, early diagnosis is crucial. A spinal epidural abscess is, first and foremost, an infection. While our immune system is capable of fighting small infections, one as serious as an SEA can be deadly. This is because it can cause you to develop sepsis. This happens when chemicals released in the bloodstream designed to fight against infections trigger an inflammatory response throughout the body. Sepsis causes swelling, which in turn can impact blood flow to key areas of the body, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys.
If left unchecked, sepsis may cause organs to shut down. If sepsis becomes severe enough, it leads to septic shock, which is when sepsis causes your blood pressure to drop dangerously low. Extremely low blood pressure from septic shock can lead to death if emergency medical assistance is not provided in time.
The infection itself is not the only danger. When an SEA develops, it forms a sack of pus inside the spinal cord, alongside the important nerves that run down the spine. These nerves are how the brain communicates with the rest of the body. When they are squeezed too tightly, it can interrupt the brain’s signals, leaving you unable to control certain parts of your body. If the infection is left for too long without treatment, then the nerves may become permanently damaged, resulting in paralysis, which can become a lifelong disability.
Why Does an Epidural Abscess Develop?
For an SEA to develop, there must be an introduction of bacteria into the spine. The spine is protected by layers of skin and muscles. That’s why SEAs are fairly rare disorders. SEAs usually develop following a deep cut into the back and spine. There are a number of ways that someone could suffer such an injury, including car accidents, slip-and-falls, and dog attacks.
One of the greatest risks of surgery is the introduction of bacteria into the body. SEAs are frequently caused by negligent surgeons. Hospital administrators, surgeons, and operating room nurses must make sure that the room, medical equipment, and everyone’s hands are completely sanitized. Failing to provide properly sanitized conditions for patients is negligence.
The human body has a robust immune system, capable of fighting off various pathogens. But it’s more difficult to fight off harmful bacteria while experiencing the stress of healing from surgery. The introduction of bacteria deep into the body is a death sentence for some patients, and those who survive may find themselves suffering lifelong disabilities. Due to that risk, surgeons and other staff must always:
- Wash their hands
- Sanitize the incision site
- Sanitize their equipment and surgical tools
- Wipe down the operation room
- Wear gloves and a mask at all times during surgery
If you developed an SEA after surgery, your surgeon, other attending staff, and the hospital may be at fault for your infection. Treating the disorder is costly, and living with it is painful, both physically and emotionally. You are well within your rights to demand proper compensation from the parties responsible for your condition.
Symptoms of a Spinal Epidural Abscess
Symptoms of spinal epidural abscess include severe pain, fever, and tenderness in the spine. Lack of proper treatment, misdiagnosis, and treatment delay will compound the problem. Long-term injuries caused by an SEA include:
- Urinary incontinence
- Loss of bowel control
- Weakness
- Loss of motor control
- Paralysis
- Saddle anesthesia (loss of sensation in the buttocks, perineum, and inner thigh)
Holding Your Surgeon Accountable
Careful monitoring of symptoms after surgery is necessary to identify and treat an infection before it becomes an abscess. Timely treatment may prevent permanent injury. If you reported symptoms that were not treated, you may have a claim. We at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. have spent years working with medical malpractice victims and know exactly what goes into a successful claim. To receive compensation, you must prove the following:
There was a duty of care: It was the surgeon’s duty to keep you as safe as reasonably possible. Every medical professional owes their patients a duty of care, which means all you have to do is provide documentation that you were an official patient of the surgeon or hospital responsible for your SEA.
The duty of care was breached: This means that a healthcare provider failed to meet the standards of the profession. Expert witnesses who are medical professionals who have performed similar surgeries will provide testimony about whether the surgeon acted according to professional standards.
There was an injury: A key facet of medical malpractice is that some sort of injury occurred. If you have developed an SEA, that counts as an injury.
Your injury resulted from the breach of duty of care: You must be able to show that the SEA was caused by a breach of duty of care. This may be demonstrated using medical records and testimony from expert witnesses.
It takes an experienced lawyer with extensive knowledge to build a strong spinal epidural abscess malpractice claim.
Getting Legal Help for Spinal Epidural Abscess Injuries in Colorado
Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. will conduct a thorough investigation of your case by interviewing witnesses, consulting with experts, reviewing your medical records, and evaluating hospital procedures. When the investigation is complete, our experienced Denver medical malpractice attorneys will file a claim against anyone who committed an act of negligence that contributed to your injuries. This may include hospitals, doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and administrators.
If the other side refuses to make a reasonable offer, Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. is always prepared to take them to trial.
Available Damages for a Spinal Epidural Abscess
You have the right to seek damages for injuries you suffer due to substandard medical treatment. When Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. files a claim for spinal epidural abscesses malpractice, it includes the following types of damages:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and Suffering
- Medications
- Lost wages
- Occupational therapy
- In-home nursing care
- Reduced earning potential
- Medical devices
- Wrongful death
Call Now for the Legal Help You Need
For over 40 years, Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. has been getting justice for victims of medical malpractice in Denver. We’re one of the most esteemed and successful medical malpractice law firms in the nation, and we’re here to give you the support you need during this difficult time.
Call (303) 759-9945 to learn more today.
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