Hip replacement surgery offers welcomed relief from pain and immobility to many people. Bones can be damaged due to aging, arthritis, or fractures. If that happens, you may find it hard to do physical activities such as walking, dressing, and even sitting.
You might have already tried all kinds of medications or even changed your lifestyle, and still, nothing improved. Then, your best option might be a hip replacement. However, there can be complications.
As soon as you notice signs that cause worry, address your doctor. The problem might be resolved through a hip implant revision. Under certain circumstances, you may file for compensation against the medical professionals.
Go Back to Your Doctor for a Check-Up
The first thing you should do is visit your doctor. Let them conduct a check-up and determine why the hip replacement failed. In an ideal scenario, they will accept to run a follow-up for free.
Note that in most cases a hip implant fails because the bone near the prosthetic joint gets damaged. If a metal on metal system is used, there is a high chance of hip implant failure. However, your doctor should cover the risks associated with the implant before the surgery. A check-up can help determine what went wrong and offer a lead for resolving the problem.
Hip Implant Revision
After seeing your doctor and confirming that your hip implant has failed, you need to do a hip replacement revision. However, you should know that the second hip implant will be more complicated than the first one.
It is also possible that the revision will not be successful either. Ensure that you get the best doctor to do your second surgery to minimize the risk. Going to your first doctor is not a must, you are free to choose a medical expert to your liking.
Determine the Cost of the Second Hip Revision
After making up your mind about getting a revision, you must know how much the intervention will cost. The revision can be more costly than the first surgery as it involves more work and is also more complicated. If the first operation failed because of the doctor’s negligence, the medical facility should cover the revision.
Try to talk with them about it, and if they refuse to pay for the revision, you can seek legal action. All the money, time, and energy for your first hip replacement should be compensated.
Get a Lawyer
Hip replacements lawsuits are rather common. However, certain criteria must be met for a valid claim. If your doctor or surgeon is the cause of your hip implant failure, you can file against them.
To succeed in your case, you need to get a lawyer familiar with the implications of a hip implants lawsuit. Hire an attorney experienced in dealing with similar cases.
Here are some of the reasons that will make it possible for you to sue your hip implants doctor:
- Unwarranted early discharge
- Misdiagnosed your condition
- Gave you the wrong medicine or dosage
- Failed to do patient follow-up care
The best way of getting a lawyer is through referrals or recommendations. You can get recommendations from your friends and relatives. You can also find a good lawyer on the internet.
All you need to do is conduct your research well, and when you find a lawyer online, don’t forget to read the reviews. The reviews from past clients will help you determine whether the lawyer can help you win the case or not.
Final Thoughts
Having a skilled lawyer protecting your rights and representing your interests allows you to focus on the recovery process. While going up against a medical expert can feel overwhelming, with the right legal representation, you can receive fair compensation for your troubles.
Going through medical complications can take a toll on the body and the mind. Accept the emotional support offered by family and friends. A positive emotional state can also have a beneficial impact on your physical recovery.
With a law degree under his belt and years of experience, Mark Scott set off to make the law more accessible to all. He decided to help people lost in the maze of legal terminology to find their way. Mark writes clear and concise pieces and gives simple advice that is easy to follow. On account of positive feedback from readers, he decided to dedicate more of his time to this goal and became a legal columnist. In his writings, Mark covers a wide array of topics, like how to seek legal counsel, or how to deal with different procedures. Furthermore, he directs his readers toward other trustworthy resources for more in-depth information.