Without proper postsurgical care, complications can arise after foot surgery that not only interfere with healing but may also result in illness or even wrongful death. If you reside in New York and have suffered harm as a result of a postsurgical podiatric error, now is the time to contact The Law Firm of Lawrence M. Karam, P.C.
Larry Karam is an accomplished personal injury attorney who has specialized in protecting the rights of victims of podiatric malpractice for decades. Call him to arrange for a free consultation so that he can assess the merits of your case. You will find him to be an empathic listener as well as a powerful legal advocate. Because he understands that you may be overwhelmed by medical and other expenses in addition to physical pain and emotional stress, he will charge you no attorney’s fees until he brings you the meaningful compensation you deserve.
Your Doctor Owes You a Duty of Care
New York law holds podiatrists and other doctors to a high standard when it comes to the duty of care they owe their patients. If they breach that duty by failing to provide sufficient aftercare instructions or follow-up appointments or ignoring symptoms of infection, they may be sued for podiatric malpractice.
Postsurgical Follow-Up Visits: The post operative visits you make depends on the type of surgery performed and whether you are progressing with what is expected during a normal postoperative course. Some surgeries require more frequent visits than others. Many surgeries involve wearing a postoperative shoe or boot. If you do not wear your surgical shoe or boot and walk on the dressings alone that may disrupt the surgery. Some surgeries require no weight bearing on the operated foot while other surgeries allow for partial weight bearing. Almost all foot surgeries, especially those which involve bone cutting, require you to keep the dressings from getting wet which means limited or no bathing, or bathing with a plastic cover over the foot.
By far the most important thing to remember is that you should strictly follow the podiatrist’s instructions and if those instructions are not clear you should ask. Asking by text or email will serve as proof that you asked.
Postsurgical visits are vital as a venue for your doctor to address any concerns you may have after your operation and to adjust any instructions to meet your current needs.
The Importance of Postsurgical Instructions
Your doctor is responsible for giving you specific instructions after your foot surgery regarding:
- Recovery from anesthesia: Your doctor should make sure you have recovered from anesthesia before sending you home; otherwise they can be considered negligent.
- Wound care: Not only must the incision be kept clean and dry; it may have to be redressed at regular intervals. Also, you must wash your hands before touching the area to prevent infection.
- Weight-bearing restrictions: Depending on the nature of the surgery, you may have to limit or avoid putting weight on the affected foot. You may also, when the time comes, have to wear specific shoes and/or use devices like braces or crutches temporarily.
- Pain Management: Informing you about pain management options is part of your doctor’s job. You should be instructed about what methods (e.g. ice, heat, elevation) and medications (prescribed or over-the-counter) to use and how frequently they should be administered. Your doctor should also inform you about whether medications should be taken with food or require you to avoid direct sunlight, alcohol, etc.
- Activity Level: Your doctor should make sure you know which activities you should and should not engage in, and how to gradually increase your activity level safely.
Potential Complications After Surgery
Evidence that proper postsurgical care is vital can be found in the following list of potential complications, any of which may indicate that there has been podiatric negligence:
- Infection at the surgical site can become systemic if not treated promptly and effectively
- Delayed healing must be addressed to see if there are underlying problems interfering with the healing process
- Nerve damage may lead to numbness, tingling, or pain
- Blood clots (DVTs) may occur due to immobilization and can be life-threatening if they travel to the lungs or heart
- Poor surgical outcomes (e.g. improper bone fusion, problems with surgical hardware) can result in poor alignment, joint instability, or other issues that require revision surgery
- Negative side effects of medications (e.g. hives, excessive bleeding or bruising, extreme fatigue)
- Disfigurement
- Impaired mobility
- Excessive bleeding, prolonged swelling, hematoma
- Death of bone tissue (avascular necrosis)
- Chronic regional pain syndrome
Postsurgical Errors That May Constitute Podiatric Malpractice
The following actions or inactions may be considered medical malpractice. It takes in-depth knowledge of state law and familiarity with the judicial system to make the correct call. Though outcomes are never fully predictable, you can rely on Larry Karam’s experience and judgment. He will fight skillfully for your right to maximum damages through out-of-court settlement or at trial if your podiatrist has:
- Failed to take or pay attention to a detailed patient history
- Failed to diagnose and treat postsurgical complications, such as infection, severe allergic reaction, or negative response to anesthesia or medication
- Failed to obtain your informed consent for the foot surgery or for unexpected associated procedures
- Failed to acknowledge or correct surgical mistakes
- Failed to provide necessary follow-up care
- Failed to document one or more elements of the surgical procedure
- Failed to monitor you closely after surgery
- Failed to diagnose the reason for unexpected symptoms by administering imaging or blood tests
- Failed to provide crucial instructions to prevent complications from occurring or worsening
Damages Larry Karam Will Fight Aggressively to Recover
If you suspect that your podiatrist’s negligence has caused you harm that could have been avoided, you may well have a valid claim of podiatric malpractice. If so, our experienced podiatry malpractice lawyer will work tirelessly to bring you compensation to cover:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Lost income, present and future
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If, on the other hand, the victim of podiatric malpractice was a loved one you lost to wrongful death, Larry will leave no stone unturned in his fight to bring you resources for your final medical costs, funeral expenses, and loss of the deceased’s earning power or inheritance.
Contact Larry Karam for Outstanding Legal Representation
At The Law Firm of Lawrence M. Karam, P.C., we know how traumatic postsurgical errors can be when they lead to long-term terrible consequences. Call us now so we can begin formulating a winning strategy to bring you the compensation you need and deserve.