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Many people live comfortably in spite of bunions, but patients who suffer pain and dysfunction because of them often seek corrective surgery (bunionectomy). Unfortunately, some patients who have bunion surgery suffer serious complications. While patient-related factors may increase the risk of complications, we find that a large number of failed bunion surgeries result from surgical error. If you believe this may be true in your case, and you live in New York, it is time to consult with The Law Firm of Lawrence M. Karam, P.C.
Defining Podiatric Malpractice
To prove malpractice, we must demonstrate that your podiatrist deviated from the standard of care that a reasonable professional would use in the same circumstances, causing you harm that resulted in injury, worsening of your original condition, and in some cases financial loss (e.g. medical costs, loss of income).
Risks of Bunion Surgery
Before you agreed to have a bunionectomy, your podiatrist should have explained the surgery to you in detail, alerting you to possible risks and complications, including:
- Infection
- Nerve injury
- Continuing pain after surgery
- Failure of the bone to heal completely
- Impaired mobility of the big toe joint
- Recurrence of the bunion
But along with this you should also have been informed of the alternative avenues of treatment, if there are any, and their risks and complications. If you didn’t receive such information, you never gave your “informed consent” no matter what consent forms you may have signed, and your podiatrist may be sued for “failing to obtain an informed consent” a claim separate from a claim of malpractice.
Common Post-Bunion Surgery Complications
First, a complication is not necessarily the result of malpractice. Some complications can occur without malpractice. But a good number of complications are from malpractice. Don’t accept being told that your poor outcome was ‘one of the complications we see from time to time.” Our approach is to understand what caused the complication and then to determine if the cause was from malpractice. There are several approaches to bunion surgery and a number of ways a podiatrist’s negligence can result in harm to the patient. If you have suffered any of the following kinds of complications your podiatrist may well be at fault:
- Undercorrection — when the bunion has not been entirely removed and your great toe is still angled toward the second toe
- Overcorrection — when the big toe turns away from the second toe creating an unusually large space between them (hallux varus)
- Nonunion of the bones due to improper positioning during surgery or inadequate immobilization
- Stiffness/immobility of big toe, i.e,, loss of functional motion
- Nerve damage, evidenced by tingling, numbness, muscle weakness or burning
- Over-shortening of the big toe
- Cock-up toe, when the big toe no longer touches the ground
- New or ongoing pain
- Pain under or in and around the 2nd toe and the 2nd metatarsal (metatarsalgia)
- Stress fracture of the 2nd metatarsal (metatarsalgia)
Any of the above complications, whether caused by your podiatrist’s lack of experience, deficient surgical skill, or faulty calculations relative to surgical incisions, may result in long-term or permanent difficulties. If, after recovery from your bunion surgery, you have ongoing pain, difficulty walking or other problems that interfere with your normal activities or quality of life, you are entitled to financial compensation. Larry Karam will fight aggressively to see that you receive them.
Steps Larry Karam Will Take to Protect Your Rights and Your Interests
Knowing that podiatrists who perceive their own liability will go to great lengths to cover their tracks, Larry has the skill set necessary to unearth pertinent records, examine X-rays, and consult with experts in the field who will be able to offer supportive testimony. He will handle all communications with opposing counsel, and use his formidable litigation skills to bring you the compensation you need to cover medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, and all costs related to your botched surgery.
Contact Our Experienced Podiatry Malpractice Attorney
Founding attorney Larry Karam has decades of experience in the field of podiatry malpractice and a well-earned reputation for recovering meaningful damages for his clients. Your initial consultation will be free and you will be charged no attorney’s fee until he brings you the compensation you deserve. Contact him now for the excellent representation you deserve.