Fatal Blood Clot Lawyer
Did a Preventable Blood Clot Cause Your Loved One’s Death?
Every year, about 900,000 people develop blood clots, and about 100,000 people die due to venous thromboembolism in the U.S. If your loved one suffered a blood clot that went undiagnosed or was improperly treated, and died as a result, you may have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice claim. Experienced blood clot lawyer Kurt D. Lloyd can help.
Our medical malpractice attorneys at Lloyd Law Group have recovered more than $350 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of families like yours. We have what it takes to win your medical malpractice lawsuit.
Our Chicago fatal blood clot lawyers are ready to discuss your case with you. Call (312) 519-2777 to find out whether you have a medical malpractice case.
Table of Contents
Blood Clots: A Silent Killer
Blood clotting is an essential process when the body suffers injuries to prevent excessive bleeding. Under normal circumstances, the body breaks down these semisolid or gel-like blood masses.
Sometimes, however, they do not break down, and instead may rest in deep veins or break loose and travel through the bloodstream. Potentially creating blood flow blockages, blood clots can have serious or life-threatening effects if left untreated.
Pulmonary Embolism and Deep Vein Thrombosis
Pulmonary embolisms are blood clots that block blood flow to arteries in the lungs. Typically, clots that become pulmonary embolisms form in the leg and then travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, where they may become life-threatening. When blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs or other parts of the body, they are called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Some of the most common symptoms and signs of blood clots include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain that mimics a heart attack, or a rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Fainting due to a sudden drop in heart rate or blood pressure
- Leg pain or cramping
- Leg swelling
Appropriate treatment of blood clots, which may include the use of blood thinners, clot removal procedures, surgery, or the insertion of vein filters, typically aims to stop them from growing in size and to break them up. Failure to diagnose a blood clot or leaving it untreated, this medical condition may cause serious injuries or complications, and even death.
Common Causes of Blood Clots
Several factors commonly cause, and put people at higher risk, for blood clots. These risk factors and causes include:
- Certain medical conditions and treatments, such as heart disease, cancer, and surgery
- Long periods of inactivity
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- Age
- Personal or family history
With timely and proper treatment, many blood clots can be resolved without causing the patient further injuries or deadly complications. However, when a doctor fails to properly diagnose and treat these conditions, it can have dire consequences for patients.
If your loved one suffered a fatal blood clot in Chicago, call our medical malpractice attorneys at Lloyd Law Group for a free consultation to discuss your rights and options. (312) 519-2777.
What Damages Can A Fatal Blood Clot Lawyer Help Your Family Recover?
If a doctor failed to treat blood clots, or did not take measures to prevent blood clots, you may have grounds to sue. Through a medical malpractice lawsuit, you may seek to recover compensation for the losses suffered as a result of your family member’s death. The losses for which your family may receive damages include those incurred by the deceased prior to his or her death, as well as for your family’s tangible and subjective losses.
Our medical malpractice lawyers at Lloyd Law Group can review your case with you, helping you value the economic and non-economic losses suffered by your loved one and family.
Special (Economic) Damages
Special, or economic, damages compensate for the calculable associated expenses incurred leading up to or as a result of the loss of your loved one. For example, this may include lost wages that would have been earned through the decedent’s lifetime, related medical bills, and funeral and burial costs.
General (Non-Economic) Damages
Not all the losses suffered due to fatal blood clots are easily valued. General damages provide compensation for the more immeasurable, or non-economic, losses suffered in medical malpractice cases. These may include those such as grief and mental suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of guidance for your family, as well as your loved one’s pain and suffering. A fatal blood clot lawyer can help you understand the damages to which you may have entitlement, and include a fair value for them in your legal action.
Who Gets Compensation in Fatal Blood Clot Cases?
Compensation recovered through wrongful death damages is paid to your loved one’s estate. Then, the estate administrator or your family member’s personal representative will divide and distribute the damages along with the rest of the estate as specified in the will.
If your loved one did not have a will, then a probate case will see the estate divided between a surviving spouse and children, or next closet living relatives.
Testimonials
“We retained Mr. Lloyd to handle a very heart wrenching family case and I couldn’t have been more impressed with his compassion, professionalism and the way he handled himself in and out of the courtroom. He took a lot of time preparing us for what to expect in our depositions and helped keep us focused as it was very emotional to relive the horrible experiences. We were told from day one that our case could last as long as 5 years and our case was settled in 4 years without going to trial. I highly recommend Kurt Lloyd if you should find that you are in need of legal services. “
~ Jeannie S.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Blood Clot Cases
How long do I have to file a fatal blood clot lawsuit in Chicago?
Generally, you will have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to pursue a claim against the healthcare provider responsible. Making the necessary preparations to file a civil lawsuit, including obtaining the affidavit of merit, can take time. Therefore, the sooner you contact a blood clot lawyer, the better your chances of filing within the allowed timeframe and obtaining a successful outcome.
Are there limits on the damages families can recover in fatal blood clot cases?
Illinois does not cap the damages families can recover in cases involving fatal blood clots. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer will help you value the losses in your claim, including certain associated medical expenses and funerary costs.
Who can file a fatal blood clot lawsuit in Chicago?
In Illinois, unlike other states, the personal representatives of decedents must file wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of the estate. If your loved one passed away without a will appointing a personal representative, the court may appoint an administrator to act in that capacity. Those given priority for this appointment include surviving spouses, estate beneficiaries, the decedent’s children, the decedent’s grandchild, or the decedent’s parents or siblings.