On August 31, 2020, the Law Office of Sean M. Wilson retained a client seeking professional legal help with a medical malpractice case regarding her late husband and herself. The hospital’s medical professionals failed to perform the standard of care, which was personalized for the decedent, the client’s husband.
Three weeks before his admission into the hospital, he started to experience an increase in weakness and became more sedentary. This negatively impacted his ability to get out of bed.
In the hospital, the descendant was evaluated to have a Braden Score of 15, which means there is a low risk for pressure injuries. With the score being in the low-risk category, pressure injuries will be present if the patient experiences improper medical attention.
Days into his hospital stay, his Braden Score decreased to a 14, meaning he upgraded to a moderate risk category making him more susceptible to pressure injuries. This information was known by the medical staff.
As medical providers with this information, they must follow the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel’s (NPIAP) guidelines. The guidelines instruct them on how to assist a patient who is experiencing such risks of pressure injuries and how to care for them.
Tragically, the descendant experienced poor and inexcusable medical attention by the medical professionals which led to the devastating injuries he developed in the hospital. Following his discharge, he was sent home without proper at-home care instructions, which led him to eventually lose his life.
As a result of the medical malpractice, the wife of the decedent pursued legal representation from the South Carolina medical malpractice lawyers at the Law Office of Sean M. Wilson. During a time of despair and duress, our legal team gained a moment of light for the client by filing suit against the medical institution. A monetary value cannot fix the drastic loss of life, but it can help bring peace. Due to their dedication and persistent actions, our medical malpractice lawyers were able to resolve the drastic case with a successful settlement offer in the client’s favor.
Determining Negligence in Medical Malpractice and Pressure Injury Cases
Medical malpractice cases involving pressure injuries (formerly known as bedsores) involve complex legal and medical issues. Health care providers must meet specific standards of care, including:
Assessment Requirements
- Regular evaluation of patients using validated tools like the Braden Scale
- Documentation of risk factors and changes in patient condition
- Proper interpretation of assessment scores
- Timely communication of findings to the health care team
Prevention Protocols
- Implementation of preventive measures based on risk level
- Regular repositioning schedules
- Use of appropriate support surfaces and devices
- Skin inspection and documentation
- Proper nutrition and hydration management
Discharge Planning
Proper discharge planning is crucial and includes:
- Comprehensive care instructions
- Equipment and supply needs
- Follow-up care arrangements
- Caregiver training
- Emergency protocols
- Documentation of instructions provided
How Our South Carolina Medical Malpractice Lawyers Can Help With Your Medical Malpractice Claim
Medical malpractice claims involving pressure injuries or other cases of provider negligence require careful analysis of medical records, expert testimony, and a thorough understanding of both medical standards and legal requirements to establish liability and secure appropriate compensation for victims and their families.
Our dedicated legal team is well-equipped to handle the challenges of a medical malpractice claim, including cases involving:
- Multiple provider liability. Our attorneys excel at untangling complex cases where multiple health care providers, from nurses to specialists to hospital administrators, may share responsibility for substandard care.
- Causation disputes. We work with leading medical experts to establish clear links between health care providers' negligent actions and our client's injuries, even when facilities attempt to blame preexisting conditions or claim injuries were unavoidable.
- Documentation gaps. Our experienced investigators know how to piece together the full picture of patient care even when faced with missing records, inconsistent charting, or incomplete electronic health records that could otherwise weaken a claim.
If you’ve recently been injured or lost a loved one due to medical malpractice, contact us for a free consultation at our offices in Charleston or Columbia. We have the knowledge and resources to protect your rights and help ensure proper safety measures are implemented to prevent future tragedies.