When we are hospitalized, we expect to be cared for properly. This is especially true when we receive a sedative or are "put under." Unfortunately, medical negligence is common in North Carolina and the rest of the country, which makes trusting hospitals hard to do sometimes.

Recently, a woman brought a medical malpractice lawsuit against her doctor and hospital after she allegedly fell off a procedure table during a treatment for back pain and suffered injuries. The woman claims that negligent care on behalf of the doctor and hospital staff caused the accident and her subsequent injuries.

According to the woman's lawsuit, prior to receiving a steroid injection meant to treat severe back pain, the woman was injected with a sedative. When the woman came to after the sedative wore off, she was allegedly told that she had fallen off the procedure table and had not been given the steroid injection.

The complaint against the doctor, hospital and hospital staff states that the accident left the woman with a head contusion, dizziness, headaches, lower back pain and pain in the right lower limb. The plaintiff also says that the incident left her with diagnosed depression, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue and nausea.

The amount of damages sought in the lawsuit has not been specified. The lawsuit has been filed in a New Orleans district court.

Shortened life expectancy, disfigurement, long-term injuries, birth injuries and wrongful death are all consequences that can result from medical negligence. Luckily, medical malpractice lawsuits often allow victims and their families to pursue just compensation.

Source: The Louisiana Record, "Woman claims medical malpractice after falling off procedure table while sedated," Kyle Barnett, Feb. 7, 2012