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When a foot and ankle specialist fails to meet the accepted standards of care when diagnosing a condition or providing you with treatment, the consequences can prove devastating. That failure may also qualify as podiatric malpractice.
Podiatric malpractice occurs when a podiatrist, or a doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions that affect the feet and ankles, makes a preventable error that causes a patient harm. Patients may have the legal right to seek compensation from the negligent provider, but these cases are often complicated and challenging to pursue. They can require the skilled guidance of an experienced malpractice attorney.
To protect your rights after a negligent podiatrist causes you harm, take a moment to learn more about podiatric malpractice, how to identify it, and the available legal help.
What Makes Podiatry a Unique Medical Specialty?
Podiatry is a highly focused area of medicine, concentrating exclusively on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the feet and ankles. Podiatrists treat a wide range of issues, including fractures, infections, deformities like bunions and hammertoes, and complications related to diabetes, but they all center around the lower extremities.
Because podiatrists work within a highly specialized area of medicine, they follow standards of care that differ from those in other fields. Their narrow focus creates distinct risks and responsibilities, which also shape how malpractice claims arise in podiatry.
Some of those risks include:
- High risk of infection in the foot due to limited blood flow
- Weight-bearing complications, since every step puts pressure on the injured area
- Nerve damage risks due to various small structures in the feet and ankles
- Potential progression into serious conditions or amputation
Common Types of Podiatric Malpractice
Podiatric malpractice often involves errors in diagnosis, treatment, surgery, or follow-up care. Some of the most common examples of malpractice claims in this field include:
Diagnostic Errors
Podiatrists must correctly identify foot and ankle conditions to determine proper treatment. When a doctor overlooks warning signs or fails to order appropriate tests, the condition can worsen or lead to avoidable complications.
Common diagnostic errors can include misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or failure to recognize and promptly address serious conditions, such as fractures or infections.
Surgical Mistakes
Many podiatrists perform surgical procedures, including bunion corrections and hammertoe repairs. Surgical mistakes can include operating on the wrong site, performing unnecessary procedures, or using improper techniques.
Improper Treatment Decisions
In some cases, a podiatrist may choose an inappropriate treatment plan or fail to consider conservative options first, leading to lasting harm. Improper treatment decisions can include incorrect medications or ineffective therapies that allow the condition to worsen.
Post-Operative and Follow-Up Failures
Podiatrists must monitor healing and provide clear aftercare instructions after performing a surgical procedure. Sometimes, they fail to identify signs of infection or provide inadequate guidance, which can turn a manageable issue into a serious medical problem.
How an Experienced Malpractice Attorney Can Help
Podiatric malpractice claims are complicated, and insurance companies are highly skilled at minimizing payouts. An experienced malpractice attorney can protect your rights and help you build a compelling claim for maximum compensation.
Your attorney can help by:
- Reviewing your medical records to identify negligence
- Consulting with podiatric experts to determine whether the standard of care was breached
- Calculating the full value of your claim
- Handling all communications with insurance companies to protect your rights
- Negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement
- Taking your case to trial, if necessary
Contact a Podiatric Malpractice Attorney Today
If you suspect that you’ve suffered preventable harm due to podiatric malpractice, you need an experienced malpractice attorney to protect your rights. The team at The Law Firm of Lawrence M. Karam, PC, will investigate your case to uncover evidence of negligence and then fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free consultation.