New York City Urethra Injury Lawyer
The urethra is the tube that allows urine to pass through to the bladder where it can then be expelled from the body. Its function is a very important one and any damage to the urethra can cause people serious harm. The urethra can become damaged in a number of ways but most commonly, it is during surgery such as a laparoscopy, hysterectomy, circumcision, urethral sling procedure, and others.
Surgeons, doctors, and everyone in the operating room must take great care to ensure that patients do not suffer harm. When they fail to do this, they can be held liable for their actions. If you or someone you love has been hurt, our New York City urethra injury lawyer can help you obtain the full compensation you deserve.
The Duty to Consult a Urologist
Bladder and urethra injuries can occur when medical personnel are trying to insert a catheter in a patient. While this is a routine procedure, there are times when things go wrong. If a medical professional has problems when trying to insert a catheter, they should consult with a urologist. When these problems arise, a patient’s condition may become worse by the improper use of a catheter. Patients suffering from spinal cord injuries are at a higher risk of suffering a urethra injury due to a catheter.
The Duty to Diagnose Quickly
As soon as any medical professional suspects a bladder or urethra injury, they should order diagnostic testing. They should also perform a urinalysis, during which the patient produces a urine sample that may indicate an infection has already developed, or is beginning to develop. A complete blood count can also help identify if the injury has caused a systemic infection. A retrograde urethrogram can also assess an injury to the urethra. This test should be conducted before another attempt is made to insert a catheter.
The Duty to Prevent Further Injury
If a surgical error is made and the bladder or urethra is penetrated, it is critical that the medical team takes action very quickly to prevent further injury. These errors have the potential to be life-threatening because they cause urine to leak from the bladder. This leaking can result in sepsis, which is one of the most serious infections a patient could suffer from. Sepsis occurs when the immune system has an extreme response to an infection, causing damage to its own tissues and organs. Even when a patient survives this type of injury, they may be left incontinent for the rest of their life.
Our Urethra Injury Lawyer in New York City Can Help After a Breach of Duty
The above are just a few of the different duties surgeons and other medical professionals have towards patients. If a breach of these duties, or any other, has caused you or a loved one to suffer harm, our New York City urethra injury lawyer at Michael Gunzburg, P.C., can help. Call us today at 212-725-8500 or chat with us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more.
