If you have had a surgical procedure or have suffered from ill health, you may have needed to gain a pain relief prescription from your doctor. This can often happen when over-the-counter pain relievers are simply not enough to relieve your pain.
When a medical professional makes a prescription for pain relief, they must make a full assessment of your situation and your medical records, and make a safe decision based on this information. If they make a mistake or they prescribe a patient with a dangerous dose of medication, this behavior can constitute medical malpractice.
Patients are at an especially high risk of suffering as a result of negligent pain management when they are suffering from chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as any type of pain that has persisted indefinitely for 3 months or more. Chronic pain means that pain relief will be needed for an extended amount of time, and, therefore, there is more chance of mistakes and complications.
How can I show that my medical provider-managed my pain negligently?
The term “negligence” is vital in any medical malpractice claim. Negligence is when a medical practitioner makes a mistake, misjudgment, or takes a risk that no competent doctor would take in theory. In order for a medical malpractice claim to be successful, this must be proven.
When it comes to pain management, negligence could manifest itself in many different ways. It could be that your medical provider failed to monitor you as you continued to take medication, and you suffered as a result. Perhaps you were prescribed medications that conflicted or interacted with each other, meaning either that you were not able to achieve pain relief or that you suffered health complications due to this. Your medical provider has a responsibility to oversee the way your pain was managed, and, therefore, they are responsible for any adverse effects that transpired.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to the poor management of pain on behalf of medical professionals in Iowa, it is important to take action in order to claim the damages you deserve.
Contact Ball, Kirk & Holm today to find out how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.