Failure to Diagnose or Treat Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)

A Critical Oversight in Patient Care

Malvin

Oct 29, 2024

06:50

A 45-year-old woman with a history of obesity and smoking underwent bunion surgery and received blood thinners post-surgery. During the first week after stopping her medication, she experienced significant pain, leading to immobility. She visited urgent care, where a nurse practitioner assessed her for muscle pain, diagnosing back pain and prescribing oxycodone/acetaminophen. No ultrasound or d-dimer test was ordered to check for a blood clot in the legs. Tragically, a week later, she suffered a pulmonary embolism(PE) that had migrated from her leg to her lung, resulting in sudden death. Survived by her husband and two children, her family filed a failure to diagnose DVT claim, which reached significant damages ranging from $100,000 to $5,000,000.

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Common Causes and Symptoms of DVT

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a large vein, most often in the legs, which can lead to severe complications if left untreated. Typical DVT symptoms include swelling, pain, and redness in the calf. Several factors can increase the risk, including:

- mmobility (especially post-surgery or injury)

- Smoking

- Obesity

- Cancer

- Orthopedic surgeries or injuries

- Clotting disorders or family history of DVT

One of the most dangerous outcomes of untreated DVT is pulmonary embolism. If a blood clot dislodges from the leg, it can travel to the lung, where it may block blood flow and cause immediate death.

Typical Errors Leading to DVT Malpractice Claims

Many malpractice claims regarding DVT diagnosis and treatment stem from the following:

- Failure to Order Necessary Tests 
When symptoms are consistent with DVT, ordering tests like an ultrasound or d-dimer is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

- Failure to Consider DVT or PE 
Given common symptoms, it’s essential to suspect DVT in high-risk patients like post-surgery individuals with limited mobility.

- Failure to Admit for Further Evaluation 
Timely hospital admission ensures continuous monitoring for patients with high risk factors, like recent surgery, smoking history, and obesity.

- Failure to Refer to Specialists 
In cases of suspected DVT or PE, a referral to specialists or appropriate hospital units can help avoid life-threatening complications.

- Misinterpretation of Diagnostic Tests 
Proper reading of ultrasounds, d-dimers, and pulse oximetry results is key to catching early signs of DVT and initiating treatment.

Damages and Consequences of Missed DVT Diagnosis

Failure to diagnose DVT can have life-altering and even fatal outcomes, including wrongful death, disability, and financial loss due to healthcare costs and missed work. Additionally, families often suffer loss of companionship and support.

How Malpraq Supports DVT Misdiagnosis Victims

At Malpraq, we understand the risks of DVT, PE, and similar complications. If you or a loved one has experienced undiagnosed DVT leading to PE or other injuries, our team is ready to assess your claim and connect you with skilled legal representation. 

Contact Malpraq today for a confidential consultation. Our priority is to help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

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