Pittsburgh
Compartment Syndrome Injury Lawyer

On This Page

1. What Is Compartment Syndrome?
2. Compartment Syndrome Is Often Treatable Before Any Permanent Damage Occurs
3. Berger and Green Can Help You File a Pittsburgh Medical Malpractice Claim
4. Recoverable Damages in a Pittsburgh Compartment Syndrome Malpractice Case
5. There Are Strict Limits on How Long You Have to File a Malpractice Lawsuit
6. Talk to a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Pittsburgh About Your Compartment Syndrome Case

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

What Is Compartment Syndrome?

Acute compartment syndrome is a relatively rare complication of an injury or surgery. It most commonly occurs following breaking a bone in the lower leg, but can also occur in the trunk, upper leg, or any part of the arm. This condition is treatable, but it requires a quick diagnosis and prompt treatment. Without treatment, the person could lose their limb or even their life.

If you endured extended pain, required amputation, or had other issues related to undiagnosed or untreated compartment syndrome, you may be eligible to pursue compensation through a Pittsburgh medical malpractice case. Call Berger and Green at 412-661-1400 for your free case review.

Compartment Syndrome Is Often Treatable Before Any Permanent Damage Occurs

Compartment syndrome is an extremely painful condition that occurs when the pressure within a body “compartment” increases too high. Generally, this occurs after a broken bone or crush injury, but can even happen following surgery.

The pressure that builds up negatively affects the blood flow in the area, preventing oxygen from reaching the cells. This causes initial symptoms that may include:

• Severe pain
• Weakness in the limb or area
• Pins and needles” feeling

As the condition worsens, serious injury or even death could occur. Amputation may be necessary if the affected limb suffers too much damage before treatment. If diagnosed promptly, compartment syndrome is often treatable through decompression surgery, known as a fasciotomy.

However, the doctors have to respond to reports of pain and other symptoms and request the right lab tests or imaging to confirm the diagnosis. Any delay in getting a diagnosis can mean a negative outcome.

Berger and Green Can Help You File a Pittsburgh Medical Malpractice Claim

At Berger and Green, our Pittsburgh-area attorneys know how to navigate the Pennsylvania medical malpractice process and can handle your case from start to finish. After we review your medical records and begin analyzing the facts of your case, we will also bring in a medical expert witness from our network of trusted professionals who practice in and around Pittsburgh.

This doctor will testify on our behalf, completing the certificate of merit as required under 231 Pennsylvania Code section 1042.3. We must submit this document when we file a notice of our intent to pursue compensation or shortly after. The person we use for your certificate of merit does not need to be the same one who testifies at trial. The doctor who signs it and agrees your doctor violated the appropriate standards must:

• Specialize in the same area as your doctor
• Have similar training and experience as your doctor
• Practice in the same geographical area

Let our attorneys review your case at no cost to you. We can explain your legal options and pursue the payout you deserve. Call us today at 412-661-1400 to get started right away.

Recoverable Damages in a Pittsburgh Compartment Syndrome Malpractice Case

When we file a notice that we intend to pursue compensation for medical malpractice, this generally triggers a process where the doctor or hospital’s medical malpractice insurer will review the case and may try to reach an out-of-court settlement with us. Alternatively, we can take your case to court and ask a judge to award you just compensation.

The compensation you could recover should include a wide variety of damages to make up for the expenses and losses you suffered. This could include:

• The cost of additional medical treatment required because of malpractice
• Ongoing and future care costs
• Prescription medication
• Prosthetics, wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical equipment
• Lost wages and benefits
• Diminished earning capacity
• Additional related expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Wrongful death damages, if your loved one passed away from compartment syndrome following a misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, or delayed diagnosis

While many states put limits on medical malpractice damages, Pennsylvania does not cap compensatory damages. This means we may be able to pursue and possibly recover compensation for all the expenses and losses we can prove based on the facts of your case. Call us today at 412-661-1400 to learn more.

There Are Strict Limits on How Long You Have to File a Malpractice Lawsuit

If you or a loved one suffered complications from delayed diagnosis or treatment for compartment syndrome in Pittsburgh, the PA statute of limitations may limit how long we have to take legal action and hold the doctor liable. We generally have two years to file a medical malpractice case, so we encourage you to give us a call as early as possible at 412-661-1400.

As long as your injuries are stable and we can get a good idea of your prognosis and future care needs, we can get to work on your case right away. These cases take time to investigate, and we need to identify the best medical expert witness for your case, so it is important for us to get started quickly.

Talk to a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Pittsburgh About Your Compartment Syndrome Case

The attorneys from Berger and Green can review your family’s case at no cost to you if you or a loved one suffered complications related to compartment syndrome. We know how to prove these difficult cases and can take the right steps to navigate the process and pursue a payout of your behalf.

If you now suffer chronic pain and suffering or have permanent impairments related to your doctor’s actions — or lack thereof — you may be eligible to pursue significant damages. We are here to help.

Call 412-661-1400 today to discuss your case with a member of our Pittsburgh medical malpractice team.