Individuals with medical conditions are often prescribed and given medications to aid in reducing potentially negative and harmful side effects of that condition. Patients who suffer from heart disease or are at risk for developing blood clots are often given an anticoagulant medication. While many patients benefit from the administration of such medications, all medications have risks and some patients may develop adverse side-effects that, if left undiagnosed and untreated, can result in injury and even death.

A man recently filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against two doctors and a medical facility for failing to both diagnose and treat his wife's medical condition. According to the lawsuit, the woman was given the injectable anticoagulant known as heparin. Subsequent to receiving the medication, the woman developed a potentially dangerous condition known as Heparin-Induced Thrombosis.

Despite the signs of HIP, doctors attending to the woman failed to diagnose her condition. As a result of the doctors' failure to diagnose, the woman's health continued to deteriorate rapidly. Additionally, the lawsuit contends that the medical facility where the woman sought medical treatment was negligent in failing to recognize the seriousness of the woman's condition and failing to take appropriate action.

According to the woman's husband, the negligent acts of the named defendants directly contributed to the woman's death. What's more, the woman was forced to endure tremendous physical and mental pain and anguish prior to her untimely death. The plaintiff is seeking to recover compensation related to his late wife's pain and suffering as well as medical and funeral expenses.

Source: The Madison-St. Clair County Record, "Doctors accused of failing to diagnose heparin exposure syndrome," Kelly Holleran, Aug. 15, 2013