How Trivent Legal’s Identified a Potential Medical Malpractice Case from a Complex Personal Injury Case

On August 8, YYYY, John Doe, a 37-year-old individual, suffered a catastrophic fall while trimming a tree on private property. The branch he stood on broke due to poor maintenance, causing him to fall 20 feet onto a concrete surface. This resulted in severe injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), multiple facial fractures, respiratory failure, and other complications. Initially, the case was framed as a personal injury claim focusing on the fall and its immediate consequences. However, a deeper analysis of Mr. Doe’s medical records revealed critical lapses in care that aggravated his condition, broadening the scope of the case to include medical negligence.
Client Requirements
The client initially requested a narrative summary, medical chronology, and billing summary to support the personal injury claim. After our review highlighted instances of medical negligence, the client expanded the scope to include additional services, namely a medical opinion and a medical cost projection (MCP) to strengthen the case and estimate future medical expenses.
Our Approach:
Our team began with a detailed evaluation of the injuries resulting from the fall. However, during our review of Mr. Doe’s medical records, we uncovered two critical instances of medical negligence that transformed the case into a dual-focus claim:
- Mispositioned G-Tube: Due to severe TBI, Mr. Doe required a PEG tube for nutrition. On August 24, YYYY, imaging revealed that the feeding tube was improperly placed, causing abdominal sepsis and septic shock. This negligence necessitated multiple emergency procedures, including gastric repair, laparotomy, abdominal washout, and temporary abdominal closure.
- Pressure Injuries: By August 30, YYYY, Mr. Doe developed severe pressure sores on his buttocks due to prolonged immobility and inadequate preventive care. These injuries indicated a deviation from the standard of care, adding to his physical and emotional suffering.
Recognizing these lapses, we collaborated with the attorney to reframe the case, combining personal injury and medical malpractice claims to strengthen Mr. Doe’s position.
How We Addressed the Case
Our approach involved a systematic review and clear documentation of the critical aspects of the case:
- Comprehensive Narrative Summary: Presented a clear and concise timeline of events, beginning with the fall and detailing subsequent treatment, complications, and lapses in care.
- Medical Opinion: Engaged experts to validate the identified instances of negligence, strengthening the claim with professional testimony.
- Medical Cost Projection (MCP): Estimated future medical expenses for long-term care and rehabilitation, ensuring the client could present a robust case for compensation.
By providing these services, we ensured that the client had a well-rounded and detailed case narrative that captured the full extent of Mr. Doe’s injuries and the negligence involved.
The Outcome
The narrative summary, medical opinion, and cost projection provided the attorney with a strong foundation for advocating compensation, while the well-documented billing summary ensured all expenses were accounted for. Our contributions not only clarified the legal complexities but also underscored the long-term impact of the injuries and medical lapses on Mr. Doe’s life.
Conclusion
This case highlights the importance of a thorough and detailed review of medical records in uncovering negligence. By identifying critical lapses in care and reframing the case, Trivent Legal was able to deliver exceptional support to the client, ensuring a stronger claim and a better chance at securing the compensation Mr. Doe deserved. Through our expertise and commitment, we transformed a challenging case into a compelling narrative for justice.