Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Baltimore, Maryland

Pulmonary Embolism
One of the many risks while undergoing surgery is the possibility of a pulmonary embolism, or blood clot in the lungs. Blood clots usually develop in the deep veins of the legs in a condition known as Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT). These blood clots can then travel through the bloodstream, through the heart, and to the lungs. The arteries in the lungs are much smaller and pose a risk for blood clots to completely block arteries. This results in a Pulmonary Embolism. It can create serious risk to the health of the patient and even death. Fortunately there is often a warning because there are a number of known risk factors for doctors to consider. If a patient is at risk for DVT anticoagulation therapy can significantly reduce a patients chance of harm from a pulmonary embolism. If you have become sick or if you have a loved one who has died from complications with a pulmonary embolism, you may be entitled to compensation from a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Birth Control and Pulmonary Embolisms

If you are taking Yaz or Yasmin for birth control and have suffered a pulmonary embolism, you may be one of the many women across the country that is eligible for compensation. Over the last few years there have been more and more lawsuits filed over this heavily marketed pill. Research has shown that women who take these forms of birth control are 6.3 times more likely to develop pulmonary embolisms. If you are taking one of these forms of birth control and have had blood clots that have resulted in a pulmonary embolism, you should contact The Yost Legal Group today to schedule a confidential, no-cost consultation.

Symptoms of a Pulmonary Embolism

There are signs that a pulmonary embolism exists including:

• Chest pain while inhaling
• Difficulty breathing
• Heart palpitations
• Unusually low blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Shortness of breath

If you experience any of these symptoms or a combination of these symptoms and are currently using Yaz or Yasmin for birth control, seek medical attention right away. Pulmonary embolisms are a serious and life-threatening condition.

Pulmonary Embolism in the Hospital

One of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the hospital is the failure of a doctor to recognize and treat a blood clot that turns into a pulmonary embolism. Blood clots normally develop in the legs, especially when a hospitalized patient has been lying still for long periods of time. These blood clots will then travel up to the artery that feeds the heart and lodge in the lungs, thereby preventing fresh blood from getting to the lungs. Death or brain damage can occur within 30 minutes of experiencing the first symptoms of a pulmonary embolism. If your doctor fails to recognize these symptoms, he/she may be subject to a medical malpractice lawsuit.

If you have a family member who has died in the hospital due to a pulmonary embolism, please contact The Yost Legal Group to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced wrongful death attorneys as soon as possible. Our office is in Baltimore, Maryland.