Legal news for Pennsylvania Veteran’s Affairs medical malpractice lawyers.
Attorneys representing a Vietnam veteran sue Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Philadelphia, PA–The Philadelphia Inquirer reported a medical malpractice claim was filed against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by a Vietnam veteran. The veteran, 59 year-old Barry Lackro, filed the lawsuit after news broke about a certain Veterans Administration medical facility executing botched cancer treatments. There have been 92 cases in which the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, in Pennsylvania, admitted to administering an insufficient, or excessive, amount of radiation. Lackro was one of the 92 patient’s who received negligent care.
Barry Lackro had radioactive brachytherapy seed implant procedures for treatment of his cancer during 2002 through 2008. Brachytherapy is the process of implanting small metal seeds into the prostate. The seeds are used to fight off cancer by releasing radiation. The radiation is emitted into the prostate for approximately 10 months. Unfortunately, some of Lackro’s implant procedures were not performed correctly. Metal seeds, which were supposed to be in the prostate, were discovered in other organs of his body. Three seeds emerged through blood clots. One seed had to be removed from Lackro’s bladder. The Vietnam veteran had 61 seeds injected on January 10, 2006, not including the four previously mentioned. Medical reports reveal that by April, of the same year, Lackro was experiencing rectal pain, a frequent urge to urinate, constipation, and bloody urine and stools. Doctors and nurses assured him that the problems were due to radiation irritation of the bladder and rectum. However, not one member of the Philadelphia VA’s medical staff acknowledged that his complications could be the result of inadequate brachytherapy. Lackro is currently receiving treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.
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