Experienced Representation From Colonoscopy Errors Lawyers in Baltimore and Washington D.C.
Colonoscopies are important diagnostic procedures used to find ulcers and polyps on the colon, as well as to remove cancerous lesions. Any colonoscopy errors, therefore, can have serious repercussions. The rate of serious complications from colonoscopy screenings is 10 times higher than for any other commonly used cancer-screening test. Studies have shown that an alarming number of colonoscopies are performed in ways that do not meet national standards. This puts you at greater risk for injury and illness, simply for undergoing a standard diagnostic procedure.
Common Causes of Colonoscopy Errors
A few examples of colonoscopy errors that can constitute medical malpractice cases include:
- Lack of informed consent.
- Negligence: Completing the colonoscopy when the bowel preparation is inadequate and visualization is poor; or attempting to pass the colonoscopy instrument through a colon structure which was overly dilated.
- Human error: There are no government regulations for cleaning colonoscopy scopes or maintaining the equipment, and this often leads to complications.
- Failure to diagnose: Often, doctors perform colonoscopies too hastily or do not sample enough tissue, allowing them to overlook cancerous growths.
- Failure to treat complications: Bowel perforation may occur during these procedures, and doctors have a responsibility to diagnose and treat it in a timely fashion while performing a colonoscopy.
- Failure to recommend a colonoscopy: When a patient presents with rectal bleeding or other symptoms consistent with colon cancer, it is within the standard of reasonable care to recommend a colonoscopy.
- Failure to inform: When colonoscopy complications arise in patients where the doctor did not explain that they had a higher than normal risk of complications.
