If you are facing issues related to a small bowel obstruction in Florida, you might be wondering if you have legal options. Small bowel obstructions can lead to serious health complications when not properly diagnosed or treated. Many patients face prolonged suffering, additional surgeries, and financial hardship due to medical errors related to this condition.
At The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we recognize the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a small bowel obstruction can take on your life. Our Florida small bowel obstruction lawyers work with clients across Florida who have experienced medical negligence related to bowel obstructions.
We can help determine if you have a valid medical malpractice claim and guide you through the process of seeking fair compensation. Take back control of your life. Contact our Florida medical malpractice lawyers for a free consultation.
What Is a Small Bowel Obstruction?
A small bowel obstruction occurs when something blocks the small intestine, preventing food, fluid, and gas from moving through the digestive tract normally. This condition can range from partial to complete blockage, with varying degrees of severity and associated complications.
The small intestine plays a major role in your digestive system by absorbing nutrients from food. When blocked, this function is impaired, and serious health issues can develop rapidly.
Medical professionals should be able to identify the signs of a bowel obstruction and take immediate action. Failure to do so may constitute medical negligence. Our Florida personal injury lawyers can determine if this is the case.
Common Causes of Small Bowel Obstruction
Understanding what causes small bowel obstructions can help you determine if your condition resulted from natural causes or medical oversight. Many cases involve prior medical procedures or conditions that healthcare providers should have properly managed.
Several common factors can lead to small bowel obstructions:
- Adhesions from previous surgeries (bands of scar tissue that form after abdominal procedures)
- Hernias that allow the intestines to become trapped
- Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease
- Tumors that grow and block the intestinal passage
- Foreign objects or impacted food matter
Healthcare providers have a responsibility to monitor patients with risk factors for bowel obstructions, especially those who have recently undergone abdominal surgery. They should provide proper post-operative care instructions and respond appropriately to early symptoms.
Recognizing the Signs of a Small Bowel Obstruction
Early detection of a small bowel obstruction is essential for proper treatment and prevention of complications. Understanding the symptoms can help you advocate for appropriate medical care and recognize when healthcare providers may have missed important warning signs.
A small bowel obstruction typically presents with several distinctive symptoms:
- Crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes
- Abdominal swelling or bloating
- Nausea and vomiting, sometimes with a foul odor
- Inability to pass gas or have bowel movements
- Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss
In cases of partial obstruction, you might experience diarrhea as liquid content manages to pass through the narrowed intestine. With complete obstruction, constipation becomes more prominent as nothing can pass through the blockage.
The timing of symptom onset after medical procedures can be significant in determining if negligence occurred. For example, if you developed symptoms shortly after abdominal surgery and your complaints were dismissed or inadequately investigated, you should speak with a Florida small bowel obstruction attorney for advice.
Legal Rights After a Small Bowel Obstruction Complication
When medical negligence contributes to complications from a small bowel obstruction, you have legal rights to pursue compensation. Understanding these rights is the first step toward holding responsible parties accountable.
In Florida, patients have the right to expect healthcare that meets established medical standards. This includes proper diagnosis, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care for conditions like small bowel obstructions. When providers fall short of these standards, they may be liable for resulting harm.
Your rights extend to compensation for various damages, including:
- Medical expenses for additional treatment
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Pain and suffering related to preventable complications
- Future medical costs for ongoing care
- Diminished quality of life
How Our Florida Small Bowel Obstruction Lawyers Can Help You
At The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we provide comprehensive legal representation for victims of medical negligence related to small bowel obstructions. Our approach focuses on building strong cases while supporting you through every stage of the legal process.
When you work with our firm, we take care of all aspects of your case:
- Collecting and reviewing all relevant medical records
- Consulting with medical experts to establish negligence
- Calculating the full extent of your damages
- Negotiating with insurance companies and healthcare providers
- Preparing your case for trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached
We understand the medical complexities involved in small bowel obstruction cases. Our attorneys work closely with qualified medical experts who can testify about proper standards of care and how they were breached in your situation.
Our team maintains communication throughout your case, keeping you informed of developments and answering questions as they arise. You focus on recovery while we handle the legal challenges.
Taking Action After a Small Bowel Obstruction Incident
Start by gathering all medical records related to your treatment. This includes hospital admission records, surgical reports, imaging studies, and follow-up care documentation. These records provide crucial evidence about how your condition was managed.
Document your experience in detail, including when symptoms appeared, how healthcare providers responded, and any concerns you raised that were dismissed. Note the timeline of events and how delays or mistakes affected your recovery.
Seek appropriate medical care to address any ongoing issues resulting from the complication. This demonstrates that you’re taking reasonable steps to mitigate damages while also creating records of the harm caused by the initial negligence.
Then, contact our law firm for a free consultation to discuss your situation. We can assess whether medical negligence may have occurred and advise you on potential next steps.
Contact The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today
If you’ve suffered complications from a small bowel obstruction due to possible medical negligence, you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Our experienced small bowel obstruction attorneys in Florida can help you.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine has helped numerous Florida residents secure the compensation they deserve after medical errors. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Reach out today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation. Our team will listen carefully to your story, answer your questions, and provide honest guidance about your legal options. Let us put our experience to work for you while you focus on healing.
We Can Help.
