Chronic ear infections, also known as chronic otitis media, are the result of persistent infections or inflammations of the middle ear that keep coming back.  This can be caused by fluid that is trapped behind the eardrum. 

The primary cause of chronic ear infections is blockage of the Eustachian tube from allergies, multiple ear infections, ear trauma, or swelling of the adenoids. 

This medical condition is more severe when the middle ear is actually infected (due to bacteria or a virus) rather than merely inflamed.  This could result in damage to the eardrum or rupture if the fluid is not eventually drained. 

Ear pain is a well known consequence of an ear infection, but the consequences of chronic otitis media can be much more severe.  Especially when the middle ear is actually infected, the possible consequences can include:

• Pus-like drainage from the ear
• Development of cysts
• Infection of one or more skull bones
• Facial Paralysis
• Inflammation around the brain
• Permanent hearing loss, whether partial or total deafness.

Although these more severe consequences are relatively rare when compared to the number of ear infections that are treated each year, it is obviously important to reduce the risk of their developing to the extent possible.  Pediatricians are trained to perform a number of relatively simple tests to ensure chronic ear infections do not develop into a severe problem.  These tests include visual exams of the ear canal, cultures of any drainage, x-rays or CT scans, and hearing tests. 

In many cases the treatment for chronic ear infection is as simple as prescribing antibiotics, although it should be noted that a child may have to take antibiotics for a longer period depending on the severity and number of ear infections he or she has had.  In other cases, surgery is necessary to drain the ear canals or repair a damaged eardrum. 

When a doctor negligently fails to diagnose chronic otitis media or fails to prescribe a proper treatment and the patient suffers further damage because of that error, the child may have a valid medical malpractice claim.  An experienced Michigan medical malpractice lawyer can help evaluate the case. 

If you would like more information about your rights in a medical malpractice case, you can order our FREE book “The Ultimate Michigan Medical Malpractice Handbook” by clicking on the book title.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information. 

For more information about Michigan medical malpractice cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan medical malpractice attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Emergency rooms are busy, stressful environments full of patients who need medical attention immediately.  The doctors and other health care professionals that work there are often highly dedicated and well-trained.  But too often, even these very good professionals fail to deliver the help a patient needs.  Unfortunately, it is a fact that sometimes doctors and other professionals make mistakes because of the high pressure of working in an emergency room.

When someone at the emergency room makes a mistake, that person should be held accountable.  A patient who suffers injuries from a preventable medical error may have a good case for a medical malpractice lawsuit. 

Common emergency room errors include:

• Failing to diagnose an infection
• Failing to diagnose appendicitis or bowel obstructions
• Failing to diagnose a concussion
• Failing to treat any condition that was previously properly diagnosed

If you would like more information about your rights in a medical malpractice case, you can order our FREE book “The Ultimate Michigan Medical Malpractice Handbook” by clicking on the book title.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information.   

For more information about Michigan medical malpractice cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan medical malpractice attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Emergency rooms are busy, stressful environments full of patients who need medical attention immediately.  The doctors and other health care professionals that work there are often highly dedicated and well-trained.  But too often, even these very good professionals fail to deliver the help a patient needs.  Unfortunately, it is a fact that sometimes doctors and other professionals make mistakes because of the high pressure of working in an emergency room.

 When someone at the emergency room makes a mistake, that person should be held accountable.  A patient who suffers injuries from a preventable medical error may have a good case for a medical malpractice lawsuit.

 Common emergency room errors include:

• Failing to diagnose an infection
• Failing to diagnose appendicitis or bowel obstructions
• Failing to diagnose a concussion
• Failing to treat any condition that was previously properly diagnosed

 If you would like more information about your rights in a medical malpractice case, you can order our FREE book “The Ultimate Michigan Medical Malpractice Handbook” by clicking on the book title.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information.   

For more information about Michigan medical malpractice cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan medical malpractice attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

The Michigan medical malpractice lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. have recently added several articles about child injuries and childhood illnesses to their online library.  Simply click on the title of each article to learn more about the following injuries and illnesses and what legal claims may arise from them.

• Meningitis
• Erb’s Palsy
• Cerebral Palsy
• Hyperbilirubinemia
• Jaundice
• Brain-Damaged Infants
• Child-Infant Asthma
• Cauda Equina Syndrome
• Appendicitis
• Pneumonia

For more information about Michigan medical malpractice cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan medical malpractice attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

A pulmonary embolism is a condition that occurs when the pulmonary artery becomes blocked.  In most cases, the blockage is caused by blood clots that originate in the legs or arms and then travel to the pulmonary artery, which is located by the lungs.  Although pulmonary embolisms are not necessarily fatal, the number of deaths they cause is increasing, and they are already the leading cause of hospital deaths.

Pulmonary embolisms can vary greatly depending on the amount of blockage and its location in the body, but common symptoms include:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood or blood-spotted mucus
• Rapid heartbeat
• Wheezing
• Leg swelling
• Clammy skin
• Excessive sweating
• Anxiety
• Weak pulse
• Lightheadedness and fainting
• Fever

If you experience any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from a pulmonary embolism.  Doctors are trained to recognize these symptoms and make the proper diagnosis.  If they fail to diagnose a pulmonary embolism, their negligence can lead to a heart attack or even death.  This kind of negligence could certainly give rise to a valid medical malpractice lawsuit.

If you would like more information about your rights in a medical malpractice case, you can order our FREE book “The Ultimate Michigan Medical Malpractice Handbook” by clicking on the book title.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information. 

For more information about Michigan medical malpractice cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com   If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan medical malpractice attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.