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EPIDURAL ABSCESS


Medical Malpractice Lawyer Representing Injured Plaintiffs Nationwide
Nationwide Success

Spinal Epidural Abscess Lawsuits

investigating hospital infection lawsuits & failure to diagnose epidural abscess infection cases

An intracranial epidural abscess is a serious infection forming in the space between the skull and brain lining, and a spinal epidural abscess is an infection in the lining membrane of the spinal cord, potentially leading to epidural abscess paralysis.

An epidural abscess creates areas of pus that build and cause swelling. The swelling and the infection can cause complications and affect physical movement, often causing long-term disability and paralysis. If medical staff Delay in Diagnosis quickly, spinal epidural abscess injury and paralysis is a distinct possibility.

Joe Lyon is an experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney and Hospital Negligence Lawyer investigating cases of spinal epidural abscess injury and paralysis for plaintiffs nationwide.

Epidural Abscess Infection

Usually, an epidural abscess is caused by a fungus or a Staphylococcus aureus bacterial infection, from undiagnosed UTIs, hospital infections, bacterial endocarditis, or other infections that spread throughout the body and lead to complications that may include:

  • Paralysis
  • Wrongful Death
  • Sepsis
  • Meningoencephalitis
  • Osteomyelitis
  • Panspinal abscess
  • Spinal cord dysfunction

Spinal Epidural Abscess Symptoms

Doctors and medical professionals have a responsibility to properly and promptly diagnose a patient with dangerous hospital-borne infections, and a failure to diagnose may lead to severe injury and death.

A plaintiff and family have a right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit based on a diagnostic error an infection that causes serious injury. The symptoms of a spinal epidural abscess injury will largely depend on the location of the abscess, though commonly include the following:

  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Unusual sensation throughout the body
  • Problems with coordination
  • Trouble walking
  • General weakness and fatigue
  • Paralysis
  • Back Pain
  • Inability to control the bowels or bladder
  • Nausea

Epidural Abscess Diagnosis & Treatment

A hospital and team of physicians should order diagnostic tests that may include:

  • Neurological exam
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan
  • Testing abscess fluid
  • Blood Type Incompatibility

Depending on the progression of an infection, and to ward off epidural abscess infection paralysis, doctors typically utilize antibiotics to fight the specific infection that caused the abscess. It is common to drain the abscess fluid to help relieve pressure from the spinal area.

Pending abscess culture results, antibiotics are usually administered to fight likely staphylococcus and possible gram-negative bacteria.

Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney

Spinal epidural abscess is a rare condition that can be fatal if left untreated. While the condition can have many potential causes, various parties can be held liable for injuries connected with spinal epidural abscess. In addition, other legal issues such as diagnosis errors or delays in treatment can lead to a medical malpractice suit. The Lyon Firm has the experience and resources needed to represent clients in such matters.

Plaintiffs in failure to diagnose cases should consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney to investigate hospital negligence and review medical records and to determine who may be culpable in an injury or death.

Plaintiffs in missed diagnosis lawsuits can expect to recover medical expenses, lost wages and income, rehabilitation expenses, and damages related to pain and suffering and long-term disability.

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM

Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.

The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

photo of attorney Joe Lyon reviewing spinal epidural abscess lawsuits
A Voice for Those who have suffered
Why are these cases important?

When hospital management or individual physicians fail to provide a sufficient level of care, victims may seek legal recourse and file suit against the negligent parties. Medical malpractice lawsuits improve the quality of healthcare by holding physicians and hospitals responsible when they fall below a professional standard of care. 

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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Questions about Epidural Abscess Cases

What causes an epidural abscess?

An epidural abscess is usually caused by a Staph infection. It can also result from a fungus circulating in your body. Sometime, healthcare providers cannot find the particular cause of the infection. The risk for developing a spinal epidural abscess increases in certain situations:

  • Recent back surgery or procedure involving the spine
  • A blood infection
  • Bone infections of the spine
  • Immunodeficiency
  • Spinal trauma
Where do most epidural abscesses occur?

A spinal epidural abscess usually occurs in the thoracic or lumbar regions. An underlying infection may already be present.

Can I File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?

Hospitals, medical staff, nurses and doctors are responsible for providing proper patient care. When management or individuals fail to provide a sufficient level of care, victims may seek legal recourse and file suit against the negligent parties.

Without medical malpractice laws, medical mistakes would go without consequence, patients would be uncompensated for preventable injuries, and medical providers would have less incentive to improve the medical system to prevent future injuries.

Despite the reports discussed above, frivolous claims brought by medical malpractice attorneys and runaway juries have been blamed as causing a medical crisis. There is no medical malpractice crisis, it is simply propaganda created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and large insurance companies to pollute the American jury pool and change the law in a manner that is favorable to them and adverse to the average American. And sadly, it has worked.

Currently, 90 percent of juries side with the physician over the patient at trial. As a result, insurance companies are bolder than ever and refuse at times to settle even the most meritorious of cases knowing that the chances of the patient finding a fair and impartial jury is extremely low, especially in more conservative parts of the country such as Hamilton County, Ohio.

What if a hospital makes me an offer directly?

Many hospitals and physicians are taking proactive approaches to resolve viable medical malpractice claims by approaching patients who do not have legal counsel. The “family meeting” presentation will include deterring patients from seeking legal counsel. This is a very concerning development in the course of medical liability and risk management.

We strongly advise patients not to engage in “family meeting” settlement negotiations without an experienced Cincinnati medical malpractice lawyer present. Hospitals and physicians have lawyers who are specialized in medical malpractice claims advising them on how to approach the case, and it is only fair that the patient is afforded the same benefit of qualified counsel.

The “family meeting” practice of settling hospital negligence cases without an attorney does not benefit the patient in most cases, but almost always benefits the negligent hospital.

Do not be deterred by a hospital representative implying that the case will be compromised if you seek counsel. While attorney fees will need to be paid, those costs should not be a deterrent. The Lyon Firm adopts a lower contingency fee structure and offers hourly rates for cases that can be resolved without litigation.

If the parties wish to resolve the matter, having qualified counsel on both sides is beneficial to the process. The goal should be a settlement where both parties are satisfied, not a case where the hospital pays substantially less than the fair value of the claim.

There are numerous issues that need to be considered before settling a medical malpractice case, and you should know what the fair value of the claim is before accepting a settlement.

The hospital knows the fair value having been involved in other cases. You as the patient should work with counsel who has successfully worked on other cases and can advise on the appropriate risk of future litigation and settlement value.

If a hospital is approaching you or a family member about a settlement without a Medical Malpractice lawyer, please call (800) 513-2403 for a free consultation.

Why hire the Lyon Firm?

Our Firm will help you find the answers.  The Firm has the experience, resources and dedication to take on difficult and emotional cases and help our clients obtain the justice for the wrong they have suffered. 

Experience:  Joe Lyon is an experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer. The Lyon Firm has 17 years of experience and success representing individuals and plaintiffs in all fifty states, and in a variety of complex civil litigation matters. Medical malpractice lawsuits can be complex and require industry experts to determine the root cause of an accident or injury. Mr. Lyon has worked with experts nationwide to assist individuals understand why an injury occurred and what can be done to improve their lives in the future. Some cases may go to a jury trial, though many others can be settled out of court.

Learn About the Medical Malpractice Legal Process

Video: Investigating Medical Malpractice

The process for investigating a medical malpractice claims involves the following steps: 

  1. Gather a full and informed history from the family addressing their concerns and thoughts on what went wrong; 
  2. Gather the complete medical records including film studies, if any; 
  3. Review of the records and applicable medical literature by attorneys; 
  4. Review of the records by a qualified physician practicing in the relevant areas on standard of care and causation; 
  5. Final consultation with expert to review opinions;
  6. Signing of Affidavit of Merit by the Expert before case filing, for cases where medical malpractice is identified. 
Medical Malpractice Settlements

The Lyon Firm aggressively, professionally, and passionately advocates for injured individuals and families against companies due to a defective product or recalled product to obtain just compensation under the law. 

FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE BOWEL OBSTRUCTION

WRONGFUL DEATH

(Cincinnati, Ohio):  Confidential settlement for a family due to a wrongful death. An emergency room physician failed to recognize the common symptoms associated with bowel obstruction and prescribed a contraindicated medicine of GoLytley.  The patient died at home the day of discharge after taking the medication. The case against the emergency room physician was resolved by settlement following extensive discovery. The settlement was paid to the spouse and surviving adult children for the loss of their mother. While no amount of money could bring back their mother, the case provided answers and held the hospital accountable.

FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE BREAST CANCER

$910,000 Settlement

(Cincinnati, Ohio):   Joe Lyon was second chair in a case involving the failure of a physician to promptly communicate a positive breast cancer result to a patient. As a result of the delay, the cancer progressed from in situ carcinoma to stage 3B with lymph node involvement. The treatment required mastectomy and radiation/ chemotherapy rather than a simple excision. The case settled after extensive discovery. The defense argued: “the patient should have called the physician.” The settlement provided recovery for suffering through a misdiagnosis and the loss of a spouse and a mother. While the settlement cannot bring this wonderful woman back, it helped her family move forward with life’s challenges and encouraged  future accountability.