Epidural being administered during surgery.
Let’s talk epidurals. You know the popular method of pain relief for childbirth and back surgeries…
Having an epidural is a ‘must have’ for many new moms and they’re generally safe, but what happens when there’s lasting complications? Epidural nerve damage can inflict lifelong pain, suffering, and even paralysis.
 
Now there’s a huge difference between a nasty side effect and full-on medical malpractice. After all, not every injury is avoidable but some are. Imagine  dealing with constant muscle twitches and pain, and not being able to stand or sit for long, like victim Michelle Babcock. Doctors wrote off her symptoms for far too long.

So how do you decide whether to file an epidural nerve damage lawsuit or not? How do you even know when it’s malpractice? Keep reading to learn more.

Women suffers from epidural nerve damage.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Let’s start with the basics – like what medical malpractice is. As you know, medical professionals are doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, and technicians (among other medical workers). When one of these professionals makes a negligent mistake that immediately or later causes harm, it may be malpractice. But the big indicator is this: would another professional in the right state of mind and skill-set easily make the same mistake? If not, then it’s more than likely medical malpractice.
 
Medical malpractice can take many forms. Mistakes can happen during a routine surgery, like a tonsillectomy gone wrong, or in more advanced situations like neurosurgery. It can also happen during childbirth and back surgery. But mistakes aren’t limited to just surgical errors. No they can happen anywhere, and at anytime. Watch out for these types of mistakes: 
 
      • Misdiagnosis
      • Medication errors
      • A delay in treatment
      • Radiology errors
And as is the case with epidural nerve damage, anesthesia errors can happen too.
Anesthesiologists aren’t perfect. Though highly trained, they do make mistakes like we all do. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be held accountable. Accountability makes life more bearable for victims and helps keep standards high across the board. Two important reasons that filing an epidural nerve damage lawsuit is a necessary step for victims.

Can I Sue If My Epidural Goes Wrong?

Epidural injuries can and have caused massive health problems for people. If you or a loved one has experienced pain, nerve damage, puncture of the dura or some other form of injury because of negligence, you may have a case. Call your attorney to discuss the details and determine what steps you can take in filing an Epidural lawsuit. Contact our office to learn more.

Identifying Epidural Nerve Damage Symptoms

If a patient starts to experience symptoms that aren’t normal during or after treatment, they need to start asking questions. Seeking advice and gathering as much information as possible is important. And it’s best to do it right away versus waiting. You have the right to understand what’s wrong and why it took place.

In many cases, after an epidural administration error, patients may return to the hospital with back pain, loss of feeling, or restricted movement and strength. You may feel a “pins and needles” sensation or your skin feels unexplainably hot or cold. Many of these symptoms are temporary and most people will recover. But in other situations victims may experience:

      • An injury caused by the needle
      • A blood clot
      • Infection at the site or even an abcess
      • Meningitis
      • A restriction in blood flow
      • Paralysis

Epidural nerve damage symptoms include: 

      • Numbness in a specific area on your skin
      • A “pins and needles” feeling
      • Loss of bladder control
      • Loss of bowel control
      • Losing the function of one or more of your limbs
      • Paralysis
      • Weakness in the muscles
      • Pain and odd sensations in certain areas of your body

Because patients have to seek further healthcare because of this damage, they’ll be saddled with medical bills and other debts that they weren’t ready for. Not to mention symptoms and conditions that may linger. For this reason, we encourage you to file an epidural nerve damage lawsuit.

Why Should I File A Lawsuit?

Most people haven’t had to file a lawsuit, and from the outside looking in, it can look pretty stressful. Dealing with lawyers, insurance companies, and doctors can seem incredibly overwhelming, especially when you’re in pain. 

Thankfully, you can hire an epidural nerve damage attorney to help file your lawsuit. Not only will they take care of speaking with insurance companies and gathering the documentation that your case requires, but they’ll also make sure that you get the most compensation possible for your damages. 

Filing a lawsuit, while it may seem stressful, can help victims of epidural nerve damage receive justice for what was done to them. Not only that, but the financial compensation can help to ensure that they aren’t left responsible for an injury caused by a medical professional. To schedule a free consultation please contact our office. 

What Compensation Can I Receive? 

When thinking about filing a lawsuit, it’s common to worry about the amount of money that will be paid out. What can victims receive compensation for, exactly? Compensation falls into two separate categories, economic and non-economic damages. 

Economic damages cover monetary losses, such as:

      • Medical bills 
      • Medical equipment 
      • Home renovations to account for disability 
      • Physical therapy 
      • Loss of income

Non-economic damages cover non-monetary losses, such as:

      • Pain and suffering
      • Mental anguish 
      • Loss of earning capacity
      • Permanent disability and disfigurement 

Woman in pain after epidural mistake.

Hire A Medical Malpractice Attorney As Soon As Possible 

If you had an epidural and endured nerve damage as a result, you may be entitled to compensation. Medical malpractice can be complicated, so it’s best to hire an experienced attorney to help you get the most compensation possible for your case. 

To discuss filing an epidural nerve damage lawsuit, contact our office today. 

Epidural Nerve Damage Lawsuit Quick Answers

Can an epidural cause permanent nerve damage?

Yes, irreversible nerve damage is a possibility. Nerve injury that is permanent is extremely unusual, but… Here’s the risks of permanent damage following a spinal or epidural injection:

Between 1 in 23,500 and 1 in 50,500 spinal or epidural injections cause permanent damage.

What are the symptoms of epidural nerve damage?

On the milder side of things, nerve damage symptoms can be numbness in a particular area on your skin, or a feeling of “pins and needles.” Going up the scale a bit into the more severe side of things, you could experience pain and odd sensations in certain areas of your body, or weakness in your muscles, or even more than one of these symptoms. Lastly, on the more severe side, you could be paralyzed and lose bladder control, bowel control, the function of one or more of your limbs, or potentially all of those things. These are symptoms of permanent nerve damage.

Can I sue if my epidural goes wrong?

You may be entitled to bring a medical malpractice case if you were injured due to medical malpractice, while obtaining an epidural or local anesthetic.

Can I file a lawsuit for nerve damage after epidural?

If you have suffered pain or paralysis, or any medical issue for that matter, as a result of an epidural injection, you may be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

How do you know if you have nerve damage from an epidural?

Nerves can be damaged by the needle or epidural tube, although this is unusual. Nerve injury can result in a lack of sensation or movement in your lower body. A tiny, numb region with normal mobility and strength is the most frequent symptom. This generally improves within a few days or weeks, although it might take months in certain cases.