Advocates for Patients Who Suffer after Using Epidurals to Treat Chronic Pain
West Virginia lawyers fight for victims of chronic pain management malpractice
People with chronic pain live in agony on a daily basis. Many West Virginia residents with chronic pain try a variety of treatments and therapies to cure or relieve the pain. The most common treatment for chronic neck and back pain is a steroid injection. These injections, when done correctly, can help relieve pain in the nerves, soft tissues, and other areas of the body – by applying pain relief medicine to the correct spot in the spine. Incorrect steroid procedures can cause crippling pain, worse than the original pain.
Each lawyer at Paulson & Nace, PLLC is a family owned and managed law firm. Our West Virginia medical malpractice attorneys have extensive experience with chronic pain cases. For over 40 years, our lawyers have helped patients get just recoveries against negligent health care providers. In severe cases, we have been able to obtain million-dollar jury verdicts and settlements. We guide each client and their family through every phase of the litigation process. Our goal is to help patients get the medical care they need, money for their economic loss, and compensation for pain and suffering.
Negligent administration of epidural steroid injections (ESIs), and transforaminal steroid injections (TSIs)
An ESI contains a combination of anti-inflammatory medicines called corticosteroids and a local anesthetic. The aim of the ESI is to reduce inflammation around the spinal nerves and to lessen pain. ESIs are often recommended for chronic pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and other medical disorders. Patients who get injections normally have pain in the back, legs, neck, or arms.
For patients, who have not had success with other surgeries or an ESI, a chronic pain management doctor may recommend a transforaminal epidural injection. This type of injection applies the medicine to a different location in the spine than the standard ESI. A transforaminal epidural injection, like a standard, ESI can offer temporary relief from pain. Some patients do get permanent relief from these injections.
Complications from steroid injections
An ESI or a TSI does have serious risks. Complications can include:
- Permanent damage to the nerves or nerve roots.
- Strokes, which can happen if the injection is put into a vein or artery instead of the spine, or because of internal bleeding.
- Permanent spinal cord trauma and injury.
- Partial or total paralysis known as paraplegia or quadriplegia. Paraplegia is motor or sensory impairment of the lower extremities. Quadriplegia is paralysis of both arms and legs.
Medical malpractice happens in steroid injection cases for many reasons, including placing the needle into the wrong spot in the body. Sometimes the physician does not explain the risks of the procedure or does not get the informed consent of the patient. This is also medical malpractice. Many, but not all, patients who get steroid injections are older.
The lawyers at Paulson & Nace understand the risks and complications for both ESI and TSI procedures. We help victims of medical malpractice get the full benefits West Virginia law allows. Our representation includes victims who suffer permanent damage and families of victims who tragically died due to a doctor’s wrongful conduct. Our medical malpractice lawyers work with nurses and doctors to determine what the treating doctor did wrong. Our lawyers use our experience and knowledge of West Virginia law to prepare each case for a jury trial. When insurance companies are reasonable, we negotiate fair and just settlements.
Contact West Virginia lawyers who litigate chronic pain management mistakes
Paulson & Nace, PLLC’s distinguished family of medical malpractice attorneys offers the compassionate, personal, and professional attention you deserve. We are widely recognized throughout West Virginia for both our comprehensive legal services and our aggressive advocacy for patients who have suffered from chronic pain management mistakes. When you choose a qualified West Virginia medical malpractice lawyer from our practice to represent you, you are choosing a team that values families and family relationships. Please call 304-741-8079 or fill out our contact form to tell us your story in a no-obligation consultation. Our office is located at 3501 Maccorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304.
We have dedicated our lives to helping medical malpractice victims and their families. Now, let our family help you and yours.