Misdiagnosed Bowel Obstruction

Our client, a 53-year-old male, went to his primary care physician and a gastroenterologist with a significant decrease in bowel movements. The GI doctor ordered a colonoscopy and prescribed laxatives. Laxatives are contraindicated for a patient with a bowel obstruction. The laxatives, combined with the bowel obstruction, increased the pressure in the client’s colon which caused it to spontaneously rupture. The ruptured bowel left the client septic and damaged his colon, requiring a permanent colostomy. The settlement helped cover the client’s missed work and provided money to compensate him for his pain and suffering