Blood Transfusion Error / Mistake

Blood transfusions can save lives. However, if done incorrectly, they can also have catastrophic consequences and can even cause death. If you or a love one has been harmed by a blood transfusion occurring anyplace in the State of Florida, contact Mr. Quackenbush for help.

Blood transfusion errors can occur in a variety of ways. For example, infected blood used during a blood transfusion can cause all sorts of infections – such as HIV, Zika virus, hepatitis B and C, West Nile virus, bacterial infections, and parasites. Blood used for blood transfusions should be properly screened for infections. However, this isn’t always done and, if you’ve been harmed due to blood that wasn’t properly screened, you may have a case against the facility that didn’t do the proper screening (the blood bank, etc.).

More likely, blood transfusion mistakes occur when incorrect blood is given to a patient. For instance, a blood sample may be mislabeled. The incorrect patient name may be marked on a blood sample, for example.

Errors may also occur when a blood sample is marked with the incorrect blood type (O-negative, etc.). Not all blood can be received and tolerated by all patients. That is, patients with certain blood types can only receive blood with certain blood types. When a patient is given blood with an incorrect blood type, catastrophic results may ensue.

Blood transfusion mistakes may additionally occur when a transfusion isn’t needed at all. Doctors and physicians may determine that a blood transfusion is required when it really isn’t necessary. If this occurred to you and you were harmed as a result, then you may have a blood transfusion medical malpractice case against the doctor or physician that made the decision to give you a blood transfusion.

Blood transfusion negligence may also occur when too much blood is given. Too much blood can cause consequences similar to the infusion of incorrect blood.

Blood transfusion malpractice can likewise occur when mistakes are made in the actual transfusion process. For example, if the transfusion isn’t done properly, then clotting or bubbles may form in the blood – and this can cause catastrophic consequences.

Finally, mistakes may happen when blood is stored at incorrect temperatures. Blood used for transfusions must be stored at certain temperatures and, if it is not, it can cause all sorts of adverse reactions.

For a free, no obligation consultion, contact this Fort Lauderdale Blood Transfusion Error/Mistake Law Firm if you’ve been injured due to a blood transfusion occurring anyplace in the State of Florida (including West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Miami, and Miami-Dade County). You will not be charged a dime to talk about your case.

Should Mr. Quackenbush become your attorney, he will not get paid until you’ve received compensation in your case – so there is no risk to you. This is referred to as contingency.

Guidance from this Fort Lauderdale Blood Transfusion Error/Mistake Lawyer

Such blood transfusion mistakes can occur due to a variety of factors. These include improper training of medical staff, including nurses and technicians. If the staff of a medical facility make an error during a blood transfusion, then the medical facility will itself be responsible for the staff’s error. This is referred to as vicarious liability. The theory of vicarious liability dictates that an employer will be responsible for the actions of its employees – as long as the employees acted within the scope of their employment. That is, if an employee does something negligent while “off the clock” at home, then the employer won’t be liable. However, if the employee’s negligence occurs at work, then the employer will typically be liable.

In the context of a medical facility that does blood transfusions, then, the medical facility will be responsible for errors made by nurses and technicians during the blood transfusion process.

Blood transfusion errors also occur due to the hectic nature of the places where they are typically given. For example, blood transfusions are frequently given in hospital emergency rooms (ER’s). Emergency rooms are frequently hectic places, with patients coming in and out of the hospital. As such, ER staff may easily make mistakes and give the wrong to blood to patients.

Powerful Representation Provided by this South Florida Blood Transfusion Negligence Law Firm

When a patient receives a blood transfusion of the wrong blood type, an adverse reaction (called an incompatibility reaction) can occur. This can be in the form of an “Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction” (AHTR) or “Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction” (DHTR). DHTR typically takes longer to develop than AHTR. In an incompatibility reaction, the body begins to attack its own red blood cells. The loss of red blood cells can cause the patient to become susceptible to blood clotting. As a result, organs in the body can begin to lose their blood supply – causing irreversible damage to those organs. Patients can also experience strokes as a result of the reaction.

As a result of a blood infusion using the wrong blood type, a “febrile transfusion reaction” may occur. A febrile transfusion typically causes an extremely high fever right after the transfusion. This is something that should be carefully watched for.

Iron overload (or “hemochromatosis”) may occur if the patient receives too much blood or has too many blood transfusions.

A “Transfusion-related lung injury” (TRALI) may also occur. If this happens, the patient may have trouble breathing soon after the transfusion – and treatment should be given immediately.

Symptoms of such an adverse reaction include fever, nausea, chills, body aches and shortness of breath. Kidney failure may also occur as the attacked red blood cells may release substances which can harm the kidney, and this can be life-threatening.

As the reaction progresses, the patient’s vitals (i.e., heartrate, blood pressure, etc.) may change. As such, it is important that medical staff monitor the patient’s vitals during the transfusion process. If the vitals are affected, then the transfusion should be stopped. If this isn’t done, then the medical staff can be held responsible for any injuries that result.

Contact this Broward County Blood Transfusion Malpractice Attorney at 954-448-7288 Today

Call Mr. Quackenbush at 954-448-7288 for a free, no obligation if you’ve sustained an injury due to a blood transfusion which happened anyplace in the State of Florida. Mr. Quackenbush will talk to you at length about your case at no charge to you.

Mr. Quackenbush will work on contingency once he becomes your attorney. This means that he won’t be paid until you’ve made a recovery in your case, so there is no risk to you.