TENNESSEE PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY BLOG: Gilreath and Associates

Contact  SidGilreath.com

Tennessee Injury Blog

Helping victims of injury and wrongful death obtain compensation is just one side of our practice. We also strive to educate potential clients and the public at large so they can better discuss cases with legal counsel and ensure successful outcomes.
  • Home
  • About
    • Attorneys
    • Firm Overview
    • Press Releases & Publications
  • Case Results
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Brain Injury
    • Trucking Accidents
    • Auto Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Aviation Accidents
    • Boating/Watercraft Accidents
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Defective Products
    • Workers Compensation
    • Railroad Injuries/FELA
    • Memphis Car Accidents
    • Nashville Personal Injury Attorneys
    • Knoxville Car Accident Attorneys
    • Nashville Car Accidents
    • Birth Injury
  • Learn
    • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • Directions
    • Referring Attorneys
Home / Medical Malpractice / Medical Error Unleashes Flesh Eating Bacteria on Patient

Medical Error Unleashes Flesh Eating Bacteria on Patient

June 28, 2012 By Staff Writer

Medical errors happen every day. They can range from relatively minor complications to severe negligence with extreme consequences.  A recent story in The Daily Mail shows just how extreme these cases can become.

The story is made even more frightening by the fact that the error happened during what should have been a relatively minor outpatient procedure.

Lisa-Marie Carter, a 46-year-old woman, visited her doctor for what should have been the routine removal of an ovarian cyst. Unfortunately, according to Carter’s medical malpractice lawsuit, things did not go according to the routine.

Carter’s case alleges that while removing the cyst, the doctor performing the surgery also inadvertently nicked her bowel, and then failed to repair or even notice the damage. Carter noticed though, later that same day, when her incision opened and began to release fluid. The fluid contained the bacteria necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh eating bacteria.

When doctors finally discovered the surgeon’s error, they began removing parts of Carter’s stomach and intestines in an attempt to curb the spread of the bacteria. While necrotizing fasciitis exists harmlessly inside a human bowel, when it comes into contact with other organs, the results can be devastating.

In Carter’s case, the results were as terrifying as could be imagined. After performing eight surgeries in the space of twelve days, doctors realized that their patient’s lower legs and forearms were not receiving an adequate supply of blood. They determined that in order to save Carter’s life, they would need to amputate the affected areas.

Today, Carter is attending rehabilitation to learn how to use her new prosthetic limbs while waiting for her medical malpractice case to make its way through the courts. Thanks to a medical error, something that should have been a routine outpatient procedure ended up devastating a woman’s life forever.

Unfortunately, situations like Carter’s can happen to any patient at any medical facility, and when they do, the victim has a right to seek recourse under the law. If your life was altered by a health care provider’s negligence and you believe their behavior may constitute medical malpractice, contact Gilreath & Associates today for a free consultation.

Related Resources

  • Chris Gilreath Talks Trucking Industry Regulations & Accident Liability
    Chris Gilreath Talks Trucking Industry Regulations &…
  • What’s the Difference Between Medical Malpractice and Medical Device Failure?
    What’s the Difference Between Medical Malpractice and…
  • Who’s Liable for a Tennessee School Bus Accident?
    Who’s Liable for a Tennessee School Bus Accident?
Nationwide Toll Free: (800) 637-7024
Nationwide Toll Free
800.637.7024

Search

Categories

  • Advocacy
  • Auto Accidents
  • Community
  • Inadequate Security
  • Injury
  • Legislation
  • Medical Device
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Product Failures
  • Safety
  • Tennessee
  • Trucking Accidents
  • Wrongful Death

Archives

Tags

auto safety aviation accidents birth injury boating accidents boating safety brain injury car accidents child safety civil lawsuits community events court rulings covid-19 defective medical products defective products distracted driving DUI food safety hip replacement lawsuits medical malpractice medical malpractice cases medical product failures meningitis outbreak motorcycle accidents negligence nursing home abuse pedestrian accidents personal injury personal injury lawsuits pharmaceutical liability playground safety premises liability prescription errors product liability attorneys product recalls product safety lawsuits slip & fall Tennessee malpractice lawyer Tennessee truck accidents Tennessee truck accident safety regulation tort law tractor trailer accidents train accidents truck accident settlements workers' comp wrongful death

Membership badges

Gilreath & Associates
KNOXVILLE
Bank of America Center
550 Main Ave
Suite 600

Knoxville, TN 37902
United States
865-637-2442
Gilreath & Associates
MEMPHIS
One Memphis Place
200 Jefferson Ave
Suite 711

Memphis, TN 38103
United States
901-527-0511
Gilreath & Associates
NASHVILLE
The Stahlman Building
501 Union St
Suite 400

Nashville, TN 37219
United States
(865) 637-2442
  • SidGilreath.com
  • Find us on Facebook

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

Law Firm Web Design & Marketing Services by SEO Advantage, Inc.™


Gilreath & Associates: Tennessee Enjuris Partner Attorney


Tennessee Personal Injury Lawyers at Gilreath & Associates offer free and personal consultation to help you evaluate your legal options.
Our attorneys are dedicated to helping you recover financially from an injury stemming from someone else's negligence.