Finding out that you or a loved one has a health condition related to vital organs like the heart can be alarming, to say the least. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with approximately 647,000 people losing their lives annually to this condition.
Fortunately, there are several treatment options for heart disease. When heart disease is caught in the earlier stages, it can often be completely resolved with a lifestyle change or medication. However, for more severe cases, doctors may recommend surgical procedures like angioplasties. Angioplasties are performed with a high success rate, but they can lead to some negative outcomes.
If you or a loved one underwent an angioplasty surgery and suffered complications or injuries, you may be eligible to pursue compensatory damages. The Los Angeles stents lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help. Call us today at (800) 970-4884 to learn more.
Treatments for Heart Disease
Knowing the risk factors for heart disease can help patients and doctors avoid invasive and risky surgical procedures. Some of the known risk factors of heart disease include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking. According to the CDC, nearly half of all Americans (47%) have at least one of these risk factors.
Surgical treatment is not likely to be the first recommended treatment for heart disease, especially since there are so many medical conditions and lifestyle choices that can be precursors for heart disease—some of which can be improved through non-surgical methods. These include:
- Diabetes
- Being overweight or obese
- Unhealthy eating habits
- Sedentary lifestyle or lack of movement
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Stress
In many cases, heart disease is preventable or manageable. Doctors will recommend a surgery like an angioplasty and stent placement if there is seemingly no other way to remove blockages from your arteries.
Angioplasty and Stent Procedures
Arteriosclerosis is one type of preventable heart disease that can also be treated in part by surgery. Angioplasty and stent placements help to physically open up the arteries, allowing blood to pass through as necessary. As described by the Mayo Clinic, doctors performing an angioplasty insert a “long, thin tube (catheter) into the blocked or narrowed part of your artery.” Once the doctor completes the next step to fight the buildup in the artery, “a mesh tube (stent) is then usually left in the artery to help keep the artery open.”
While angioplasties have been performed with very few complications since the 1970s, this procedure comes with risks that should be communicated with patients before and after surgery. If you or a loved one experienced complications from an angioplasty surgery, a Los Angeles stents lawyer can help you hold liable medical professionals accountable for your suffering. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to get started on your case.
Legal Options for Stent Complications and Injuries
In California, medical malpractice legislation can be difficult to navigate alone. When you work with a Los Angeles stents lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we will try to ease the burden of the legal process for you by managing the investigation, case building, and resolution of your unique situation.
California Code of Civil Procedure §340.5 stipulates the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice case in the state of California. You have one year to file a claim for any discovered injury related to your stent procedure, or up to three years from the original date of when the injury took place. Working with a Los Angeles stents lawyer who knows how to navigate California medical legislation can help you initiate a claim quickly and efficiently.
There are several important things to keep in mind when seeking damages for an angioplasty procedure gone wrong. For example, you must notify the liable medical provider at least 90 days in advance of filing your medical malpractice case, according to California Code of Civil Procedure § 364.
The simplest burden of proof is on the plaintiff to show that there was an existing patient-doctor relationship. Beyond that, you must prove there was a breach of duty in providing care for you before, during, or after the procedure. Every medical malpractice case is unique—a Los Angeles stents lawyer can advise you on your legal options given your circumstances.
Economic Damages
In a medical malpractice case, you will probably seek economic damages to cover the cost of recovering from your injuries. This can include long-term and short-term healthcare costs, emergency healthcare, prescription medications, medical equipment, and more.
Economic damages also often cover anything related to your current or past income for as long as you are reasonably expected to continue working. In some cases, you can file a medical malpractice case on behalf of a loved one who died if you were financially dependent on them. When itemizing economic damages, it is important to consider all reasonable current and future costs, so your medical bills and living costs can be covered.
Non-Economic Damages
In California, the limit for non-economic damages in a case of medical malpractice is up to $250,000 per California Civil Code §3333.2. Non-economic damages can cover things like emotional pain and suffering, as well as lifestyle changes—for example, if your angioplasty left you permanently disabled.
Civil lawsuits in California are subject to the state’s pure comparative negligence rules, which account for the possibility of all involved parties having a calculated amount of fault. For legal issues with an angioplasty, patients may be considered partially responsible for any injuries if they did not follow the doctor’s care recommendations.
For a free legal consultation with a Stents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 970-4884
Consult with a Los Angeles Stents Lawyer
When you work with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, protecting your rights is one of our highest priorities. If we cannot reach a settlement with the liable parties, we will fight for you in court.
Our Los Angeles stents lawyers can help you build your case, so you can focus on recovering from your angioplasty surgery. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 970-4884 to get started.
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