Malpractice Involving Podiatrists: Why Does Negligence So Often Lead to Severe Problems?

Your foot contains a complex network of nerves and blood vessels intertwined with soft tissue and bones, so minor issues affecting any of these components can trigger a chain reaction that causes serious damage throughout the body. A seemingly small mistake can have lasting negative consequences that substantially impact the quality of life.

As a legal team with extensive experience helping victims of medical malpractice recover full compensation for the harm done to their lives, we’ve seen that malpractice involving podiatrists often takes people in Montana by surprise. It’s important to understand how serious the injuries can be and to ensure that victims of malpractice receive compensation to make up for all of the losses that result.

How Do Podiatrists Commit Medical Negligence?

The primary types of medical errors involving podiatrists are:

• Failure to diagnose a condition
• Delayed diagnosis or treatment of a condition
• Poor surgical technique
• Failure to recognize and treat complications after surgery

How Do Doctors Miss or Delay Proper Diagnoses?

Many times, doctors make snap judgments, and then they tend to look only for information that reinforces their conclusion. That arrogance can cause them to ignore vital symptoms and refuse to order standard tests.

In other cases, patient overload or personal distractions interfere with a doctor’s attention, and they fail to give the situation reasonable consideration. The result is that a condition gets ignored or diagnosed incorrectly. By the time the error is discovered, the patient may have suffered irreparable harm.

What Happens When Surgeons Make Mistakes?

When surgeons don’t operate with proper techniques, their mistakes can result in injuries such as:

• Nerve damage
• Chronic pain
• Misalignment of bones
• Reduced mobility

Sometimes damage can be at least partially repaired with additional surgery but other times, the damage leads to permanent impairment.

Why is the Time After Surgery So Critical?

Many patients suffer dangerous complications after surgery, including infection and circulatory problems. Podiatrists frequently implant hardware during surgery, and this can cause problems and delays in healing.

When patients report pain after surgery, their concerns are often dismissed as exaggerated when, in fact, they are suffering from serious post-operative complications. Delays in acknowledging and treating these complications allow them to grow worse and lead to needless suffering, particularly for patients with other medical conditions that combine to amplify the consequences of the injuries.

What are the Long-Term Consequences of Podiatrist Negligence?

If a podiatrist fails to meet reasonable standards when caring for patients, they can suffer long-term harm such as:

• Joint instability
• Chronic infections
• Loss of balance
• Permanent nerve damage
• Limitations on mobility
• Unrelieved pain

When infection or poor circulation continues to progress, a patient may require amputations because of negligent treatment.

FAQs About Malpractice Involving Podiatrists

When does a poor outcome become medical malpractice?

A podiatrist is not liable for malpractice every time the outcome of treatment is less than ideal. However, a poor outcome may be the result of malpractice when it was the direct result of the doctor’s failure to provide treatment that met the accepted standard of care for patients in similar circumstances. 

It generally requires considerable expert testimony to establish what the standard should have been, explain how the podiatrist’s actions deviated from the standard, and how the failure to meet the standard caused harm to the patient.

Which patients are at greater risk of harm from podiatric malpractice?

Certain patients are at a greater risk of harm when a podiatrist fails to provide appropriate care. These include patients with:

• Immune system disorders
• Diabetes
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Chronic circulation problems
• Peripheral artery disease

What should you do if you suspect podiatrist negligence?

Medical malpractice is a complex issue both legally and medically, and it carries serious emotional ramifications as well. So if you suspect that you or a loved one may have suffered unnecessarily due to the negligent treatment by a podiatrist, it is wise to protect yourself while avoiding immediate accusations or confrontations. It is usually helpful to:

• Document your symptoms and how your condition has changed
• Get copies of your medical records, including medical imaging
• Get an exam by a qualified podiatrist at a different practice
• Seek a second opinion about your diagnosis and treatment plan from a qualified podiatrist at a different practice

If it appears that your podiatrist’s care failed to meet medical standards, then it is a good idea to consult a medical malpractice lawyer for advice about pursuing relief.

Schedule a Free Consultation to Find Out What May Be Possible in Your Case

When a doctor’s treatment is not what it should be, whether due to arrogance, overwork, laziness, or distraction, patients are entitled to relief. If medical negligence by a podiatrist or other medical professional has caused pain and further injuries, it is time to call the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Ragain & Clark. We understand how to hold doctors accountable and obtain full compensation for the harm you’ve suffered needlessly. To find out more about your next steps, call us at 406-651-8888 or contact us now to schedule a free consultation.