In an unfortunate case of medical malpractice that hits close to home, a Lake Oswego man is suing Kaiser for the flimsy care he received when he was suffering from subdural bleeding (bleeding on the brain). The man went to the hospital complaining of extreme headaches and exhibited excessive vomiting symptoms. A nurse on hand was informed of the situation, but then the patient was left in a general waiting room.
For four hours.
During this time, the patient’s condition obviously worsened. He waited from 6:49PM to 11:00PM to be treated, even though tests showed that the man had abnormal signs. Eventually the man fell unconscious and his heart rate climbed to dangerous levels. Eventually he was stabilized, but not before the subdural bleeding he was experienced caused him to be paralyzed.
The patient and his wife are suing Kaiser for the care they received. They claim that Kaiser was negligent in treating the patient, and that they should have done far more to care for him and check up on him. As a result of Kaiser’s poor care, they claim, the patient is currently in the paralyzed state that he is in. His condition should not have progressed to such an extreme and dangerous state.
This is a sad and scary reminder that hospitals and medical professionals are not perfect. They make mistakes — and when they do, they can cost patients their lives and/or their livelihood. They shouldn’t — and in many cases don’t — get away with this, as a medical malpractice lawsuit could hold them liable and aid the affected patient with compensation.
Source: Courthouse News Service, “Paralyzed Man Blames Kaiser for Head Bleed,” Barbara Wallace, Jan. 13, 2015