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Ex-Congressman Planning Malpractice Suit Against Federal Government

Steve LaTourette, an ex-congressman from Ohio, is planning to sue the federal government for malpractice. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, and contends that his diagnosis could have been made much earlier if he would have been given crucial information on his health status. LaTourette was admitted to the hospital twice in 2012 for gastrointestinal pain and pancreatitis, and had an MRI in March of that year. The MRI showed a lesion on his pancreas, and it was recommended by the radiologist that LaTourette seek follow-up care. He claims that this information was never passed on to him, and he was never given the results of the MRI.

Because a potential diagnosis in 2012 might have made a difference in his care, along with the quality and length of his life, LaTourette has sought out a medical malpractice lawyer to file suit on his behalf. He is also seeking to record his testimony and other information, in case he passes away before the case goes to trial or is settled in some other way. He is suing for his future medical expenses, past expenses, lost wages, and the mental anguish he has suffered as a result of what he considers to be malpractice.

It’s not a secret that medical malpractice can and does happen, but the cases are often not as high profile as LaTourette’s. When they involve a politician or other public figure who media outlets may want to report on and follow, though, they can get coverage that can bring serious problems in the medical community to light. Anyone who has considered the hiring of medical malpractice lawyers in Columbus Ohio is likely aware of the seriousness of malpractice cases and the burden of proof they require. Doctors, like anyone else, can and do make mistakes. How significant those mistakes are, and whether they are based on true negligence, must be carefully considered.

In a case like LaTourette’s, some question why he did not follow up with his doctor of his own accord, and/or why he did not request the results of the MRI. Others argue that he should not have had to do either of those things, and that it was up to the radiologist and the Capitol Hill doctor(s) that LaTourette saw to make sure important information was passed along to the patient. This is an important area of discussion for medical malpractice attorneys, because it can affect the way a judge sees the case and whether LaTourette bears some of the burden for a lack of engagement in his own healthcare.

Regardless of that, however, if LaTourette would have found out about his pancreatic lesion back in March of 2012, it may have been able to be successfully treated at that time. Whether that would have resulted in him being cancer-free today is not known, but he would have had the benefit of a much earlier diagnosis, which could have affected his prognosis in a very positive way.

At Leeseberg Tuttle, we take pride in fighting for our clients to get the compensation they deserve when dealing with medical malpractice. Contact our medical malpractice lawyers in Columbus, Ohio today at 855-445-6266 and speak to one of our law firms partners about your case.

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