Those with obesity are having trouble fitting into more than their clothes. In many cases, they are finding it difficult to fit into a healthcare system that often does a better job of serving patients who are thin. Treatment of obese patients by hospitals, doctors, and nurses could be considered malpractice if proper treatment is not provided. Here are some common concerns.
Prejudice
It has been documented that some medical staff have prejudiced feelings towards the obese population. This can lead to doctors and nurses failing to adequately care for overweight patients. If this results in harm to the patient, it could be grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Dosing Problems
Drug companies are not required to provide the exact doses needed for obese patients. In some cases, this leads doctors and nurses to guess what the proper dose should be. This problem can lead to obese patients who are either underdosed or overdosed.
Greater Chance Of Misdiagnosis
Although obesity is a health concern that exacerbates many other health issues, sometimes the actual illness or problem an overweight patient experiences is not the direct result of obesity. In these cases, sometimes the medical staff wrongly assumes that the problem is a result of the patient being overweight, and the patient is left without having received adequate treatment.
Inadequate Equipment
Most equipment in doctors’ offices and hospitals is not designed with the obese population in mind. Scales are often unable to measure much over 300 pounds. Another problem is that most scanners in medical establishments are not equipped to handle those who are obese. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed or serious problems going unchecked.
In Summary
If you are concerned about potential medical malpractice in relation to obesity, the best thing you can do is speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who will be able to determine if you have a case.
