Blood Transfusion Errors and Your Legal Options

Nothing is more devastating than to undergo a surgical procedure and suffer further injury because of a blood transfusion mistake. If this has happened to you, an Aurora medical malpractice lawyer can advise you of your legal rights, including the option to file an Aurora medical malpractice claim.

Overview of a Blood Transfusion Mistake

A blood transfusion mistake can cause serious injuries or even lead to death. There are approximately 12 to 13 patients who die every year in the United States because of blood transfusion errors and some experts believe that number may be higher.  What makes a blood transfusion mistake even worse is that it is usually preventable. If you have been injured by an Aurora medical malpractice mistake of any kind, an Aurora medical malpractice lawyer can help. Experience in medical negligence cases will enable your Aurora medical malpractice lawyer to build a claim for you that addresses your injuries as well as the pain and suffering you sustained as a result.

What can cause a blood transfusion mistake?

A blood transfusion mistake can occur anytime there is medical negligence. Medical negligence can be the result of carelessness or recklessness. Medical professionals owe a certain standard of care to patients that prevent them from being further injured. If this standard of care is not provided, they can be held liable for medical negligence. Common causes for a blood transfusion mistake include:

• an error with labeling;
• lack of training;
• shortage of staff;
• miscommunication;
• inadequate blood supply;
• procedure conducted on wrong patient;
• failure to verify patient’s correct blood type;
• inadequate assessment of patient;
• incorrect identifying information;
• lack of consent for the blood transfusion;
• multiple blood transfusions being done at one time; and
• storing blood supplies for a number of patients in one refrigerator.

No one should have to worry that a blood transfusion mistake will be made and cause further injury. Unfortunately, in the chance this happens to you or a loved one, an Aurora medical malpractice lawyer can work to see the physician or medical institution is held liable for the mistake. It is difficult to estimate how many blood transfusion mistakes are made every year. What can be said with certainty is that when blood transfusion mistakes do occur, they can lead to devastating consequences. The risk of acquiring a deadly or lifelong incurable disease is an unfortunate reality when it comes to blood transfusion mistakes. This type of mistake can completely change the course of an individual’s life.Medical professionals can avoid the majority of blood transfusion mistakes. Doctors and other medical professionals owe a standard of care to their patients that prevents further injury. If there is a failure to do so, it can lead to unfortunate consequences for the patient, not to mention a medical malpractice claim.Some of the diseases that can be acquired through blood transfusion mistakes include: 

• Hepatitis B;
• Hepatitis C;
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV);
• Human T-lymphocytotrophic Virus (HTLV-1);
• Hepatitis G Virus (HGV);
• Cryoglobulinemia;
• Transfusion Transmitted Virus (TTV);
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV);
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD);
• Leishmaniasis;
• Lyme disease;
• Chagas disease;
• Babesiosis; and
• Toxoplasmosis. 

Medical negligence can lead to serious injuries or death. If you have been the victim of a blood transfusion mistake, you should speak with an Aurora medical malpractice lawyer. They will advocate on your behalf for the damages to which you may be eligible. Contacting an Aurora Medical Malpractice LawyerAt the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Aurora medical malpractice attorneys will examine all aspects of your claim, determine liability and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you or your loved one for any injuries or loss of life as the result of medical malpractice. Contact us today for a no-cost case evaluation – 312-263-1080.