There are numerous treatments for patients with type-2 diabetes. However, while many can help the patient recover and enjoy a better quality of life, there are some that can cause serious complications with life-threatening consequences. If you’re an attorney involved in a diabetes medication amputation lawsuit, here’s what you need to know.
At Cardinal LifeCare Consulting, our team can assist in your case by connecting you with the appropriate expert witness and creating a life care plan to outline the patient’s current and future medical needs. Call 724-487-0519 today to speak to one of our legal nurse consultants.
Can Diabetes Medication Such as Invokana Lead to Amputations?
Invokana is a drug used to treat the symptoms of type-2 diabetes. It does so by lowering the blood’s sugar levels by stimulating the body to excrete more sugar via urination.
However, this increased urinary output can result in dehydration. When the body is dehydrated it will struggle to carry out normal bodily functions such as proper blood circulation. Poor blood circulation tends to affect the extremities first, and the patient’s legs, feet, and toes are often deprived of a steady supply of blood when the patient is dehydrated. Allegedly, this can increase the patient’s risk of amputation.
Two clinical trials looked into the effects of Invokana on the cardiovascular system. Researchers discovered a high incidence of leg, foot, and toe amputations among those who used the drug. In fact, amputations were almost twice as common among those who were prescribed Invokana than those who were given a placebo.
How a Life Care Planner Can Assist in a Diabetes Medication Amputation Lawsuit
Patients with type-2 diabetes already have complex medical needs. However, with an amputation, there are even more factors to consider. A life care planner can help make sense of these diverse needs by assessing the patient’s condition and creating a roadmap for the patient to attain optimal recovery. Important elements of a life care plan in a diabetes medication amputation lawsuit can include:
- Medications;
- Therapeutic modalities;
- Evaluations and diagnostic testing;
- Home care needs;
- Home modifications;
- Prosthetic needs;
- Modalities;
- Leisure Equipment; and
- Transportation needs.
At Cardinal LifeCare Consulting, we can also connect you with an appropriate expert witness for your case who can assist during litigation or negotiations with insurers. An expert witness may help prove whether or not the diabetes medication caused the complications that led to the patient’s amputation.
Life Care Planning for Diabetes Medication Amputation Lawsuit
If you’re an attorney involved in a diabetes medication amputation lawsuit, you could benefit from our life care planning and expert witness services. At Cardinal LifeCare Consulting, our legal nurse consultants can assist by determining the applicable standards of care, outlining your client’s future medical needs and the costs thereof, organizing and analyzing medical records, identifying and screening appropriate expert witnesses, serving as expert witnesses, life care planning, researching relevant medical literature, and preparing evidence for trial.
Contact us today at 724-487-0519 to discuss your life care planning needs with a member of our team.
