My mother had surgery some time ago on her throat. This was to remove her thyroid gland either way afterwards she had to wait till her voice healed before she could speak afterwards she always sounded winded, out of breath and at some points she loses her voice completely in the middle of a sentence. We have a family friend who is a doctor and believes that a nerve could have been cut that is causing her to loose her voice. If she looses her voice permanently which is possible then she can't keep her job. Right now she can speak, but there is a fear it could be more permanent.
AzOasis8
You cannot sue if the doctor mentioned there was a risk she may lose her voice.
Cecilia M
If losing her voice was a known risk of this surgery and she was informed of this risk, then there is no basis for a malpractice claim against the surgeon. What you should do is review her medical records, specifically look for the surgical consent form where the risks are detailed. If this risk is listed and she signed the form, then you have no case.
COOLQF
Speak to a lawyer and visit another doctor for a 2nd opinion as to why her voice goes away. You often sign several things to protect the doctor. If the patient incurs a harm that was not stated in what you signed OR you did incur one of these harms, but it was due to a mistake by a doctor then yes, he is liable. It is extremely important that you follow-up on this very very promptly, because as time passes their may be other variables that could be blamed for the voice loss, thus resulting in "insufficient culpable proof that it was the doctor and not something or someone else's fault.
bigswag
If fat people can sue McDonalds for being fat, you can sue for that. These days you can sue for anything if you word it right.
The One Who Knows (Swamy)
The surgeon or his assistant should have explained to you and to your mother, the very real risk of damage to vocal chords in thyroidectomy (removal of thyroid by surgery). If your mother was past child bearing age, administration of radioactive iodine (I 131) would have been a good option instead of surgery. If that risk was explained either orally or in writing (if the release signed by you was after understanding the risk), probably the suit if any against the surgeon may not hold water. In any case, it would be a good idea to discuss with a lawyer who handles such cases. I am not a lawyer.
And such cases reinforce the need for adequate patient education and involvement in their treatment.
shortstuff
Please help your mom seek a good malpractice lawyer. You have to prove, without a doubt, that malpractice has occurred & that can be a hard thing to do sometimes. Go to the medical records of the hospital where the surgery was performed, & ask for a copy of your mom's medical records, on the thyroid surgery. You may have to pay but it's not much. That paperwork is a record of the surgery, listing the doctor/doctors/assistmants, who were present during the surgery, surgery techniques, etc. If they refuse to give the records to you, your lawyer will get them for you. Go back to the days prior to your mom's surgery with her at your side, & keep a diary of her pre op/post op/ office visits, treatment, etc. Try to write down some of the pre op conversations your mom had with the doctor, especially if he spoke about what could result after the surgery, etc. All of these recollections are very important, as your lawyer will ask you about all of this, if he's a good malpractice lawyer. You can also talk to family/friends/ co workers of your mom, to support your mother's alligations against this doctor. You may have to search hard & long for a lawyer who is willing to take your mom's case, so don't get discouraged. Good luck!!!
april8
Before any surgery takes place, the procedure should be explained carefully to the patient and to his/her family. This should include how it will be done, who will do it, the pros and cons of the procedure, what to expect after surgery, etc.
If the doctor/surgeon didn't tell you or explain to you or to your mom what the possibilities are,then I guess you have the right to complain and even sue.
I just hope that it won't come to that. And I hope that your mom will not lose her voice.
Have your mother checked by another throat doctor first. The doctor might order a few tests to determine if there is indeed any damage done to your mom.
Goodluck and God bless!
Orignal From: can you sue for medical malpractice if a surgery to remove a thyroid ended up ruining your speaking voice?
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