$1.6 Million Medical Malpractice Settlement
Loss of Leg Muscles After Compartment Syndrome
This case involved a young man who permanently lost the functional use of muscles in his leg due to compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a serious medical condition in which pressure builds inside a muscle compartment and restricts blood flow to muscles and nerves.
A lawsuit was filed on behalf of this young man alleging that, after he initially suffered a broken leg, the doctor and hospital failed to take proper preventive and responsive measures that could have helped avoid this devastating injury. Shortly before trial, the doctor and hospital agreed to settle the case for $1,600,000 to avoid the uncertainty of a potentially larger jury verdict.
About Compartment Syndrome
Muscles are located inside compartments covered by fibrous bands of fascia or tissue. When an injury occurs, pressure inside a compartment may increase because of bleeding, swelling, or fluid buildup. If the pressure rises too high, blood may not circulate properly to the nerves and muscles inside that compartment.
General medical information from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that compartment syndrome can become serious when pressure within the compartment interferes with blood flow. Because the walls of the compartment cannot easily expand, the increased pressure may damage muscles and nerves.
When muscles do not receive the oxygen-rich blood they need, they may scar, contract, weaken, or die. In this case, the damage led to the permanent loss of muscle function. When necrosis, or tissue death, occurs, the damaged muscle may need to be removed. In severe cases, a person may even require an amputation to prevent greater harm.
Causes of Compartment Syndrome Injuries
Compartment syndrome may be acute or chronic. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome can develop over time and is often associated with repeated strenuous activity. Acute compartment syndrome usually develops much more quickly, sometimes within hours, and is often associated with serious trauma, fractures, crush injuries, surgery, or casting.
Crush injuries and major bone fractures can create significant bleeding and swelling. Fractures involving bones such as the tibia, fibula, radius, or ulna may increase the risk of compartment syndrome if symptoms are not recognized and treated quickly.
Failure to Diagnose or Treat the Injury
When a doctor knows that a serious fracture or crush injury has occurred, certain symptoms should raise concern. These may include a tense limb, numbness, unusual pressure, increasing pain, or pain that seems excessive compared with the original injury.
In those circumstances, the medical provider may need to take immediate steps to evaluate the pressure inside the affected compartment. This may involve diagnostic testing, pressure measurement, close monitoring, and urgent orthopedic evaluation.
When a doctor fails to diagnose compartment syndrome in time, permanent damage may occur quickly because the muscles and nerves are deprived of adequate blood flow and oxygen. In some cases, emergency surgical treatment may be required. A procedure called a fasciotomy may be performed to release pressure by opening the tight fascia surrounding the affected muscles.
Failures involving delayed diagnosis, delayed intervention, or poor hospital response may support a medical malpractice claim. Depending on the facts, the case may also involve issues related to emergency treatment, orthopedic care, or surgical negligence.
If you believe that a doctor, hospital, or other medical provider acted too slowly or failed to act, resulting in permanent muscle injury, call Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC at 312-243-9922 or contact us online for a free consultation.
