Acute Abdominal Pain

Erie Pennsylvania (PA) Medical Malpractice Lawyer - Acute Abdominal Pain

Acute Abdominal Pain in children and adults presents a diagnostic dilemma. Although many cases of Acute Abdominal Pain are benign, some require rapid diagnosis and treatment to minimize mobility. Numerous disorders can cause abdominal pain. Acute Abdominal Pain is affiliated with many medical malpractice  and personal injury cases.

The most common medical cause is gastroenteritis, and the most common surgical cause is appendicitis. Age is a key factor in evaluating the cause. The incidence and symptoms of different conditions vary greatly over the pediatric age spectrum.

Appendicitis should be suspected in any child with pain in the right lower quadrant. Signs that suggest an acute surgical abdomen include:

• Involuntary guarding or rigidity
• Marked abdominal distention
• Abdominal tenderness
• Pulsating sensation in the abdomen
• Pain in the abdomen or lower back that is severe, sudden, persistent or constant. This pain may radiate to the groin, buttocks or legs
• Abdominal rigidity
• Anxiety
• Nausea and vomiting
• Clammy skin
• Rapid heart rate when rising to a standing position
• Shock
• Abdominal mass

If the diagnosis is not clear after the initial evaluation, repeated examinations by the same physician is often the standard of care.

However, in some instances selected imaging studies are also helpful in diagnosis of a patient. Surgical consultations is necessary is a surgical cause is suspected or the cause is not obvious after a thorough evaluation.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious personal injury as a result of a misdiagnosis or negligence on the part of a physician, doctor, surgeon, hospital, etc. please contact a Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyer via email today or call 814-452-4473 .

Our law office is located in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania (PA), within three blocks of both federal and state courthouses. We have free parking that is handicap accessible.

Attorney Dave Hunter serves medical malpractice and personal injury clients in Northwest Pennsylvania (PA), Erie County, Crawford County,  Venango County, and Warren County including Erie, Meadville, Union City, Corry, Franklin, Oil City and Titusville.