Incompatible Blood Type Complications

Incompatible blood transfusions are classified as never events because they stem from preventable mistakes in medical care. Receiving the wrong blood type can lead to severe complications, including organ failure, circulatory shock, and even death. A Prince George’s County incompatible blood type lawyer at Foran & Foran, P.A. can investigate these incidents, pinpointing breaches in safety standards that contributed to patient harm. Such cases underscore the critical need for hospitals to follow strict protocols to prevent these life-threatening errors. If you or a loved one has suffered due to an incompatible blood transfusion, consulting with Foran & Foran can help clarify your rights and options. Our attorneys are highly experienced in handling never event cases and work to hold negligent parties accountable. Similar to other serious medical errors, such as surgical instruments left in the body, blood transfusion mistakes are avoidable and cause unnecessary suffering, making legal action an important step toward justice and compensation.

Blood type compatibility is critical to preventing adverse reactions during transfusions and pregnancy. Understanding blood types helps highlight why incompatibility errors are preventable.

People have one of four blood types: A, B, AB, or O. These types are classified as either positive or negative based on the presence of a protein known as the Rh factor. Individuals with the Rh protein are considered Rh-positive, while those without it are Rh-negative. For instance, a person may have type A-negative (A—) or type O-positive (O+), and this designation affects who can safely receive their blood.

ABO incompatibility is a concern when the mother’s blood type is O, and the unborn baby has type A, B, or AB. This mismatch can lead to maternal-fetal blood group complications during pregnancy. When incompatible blood types are present, the mother’s immune system may react by attacking the baby’s red blood cells, posing severe risks if not properly managed by healthcare providers.

Healthcare providers are responsible for verifying blood type compatibility to prevent these serious and avoidable complications. Failure to do so may warrant a hospital negligence claim if patients experience harm.

Incompatible blood transfusions occur when healthcare providers administer blood that does not match the patient’s type, triggering a harmful immune response. These preventable errors lead to complications that range from mild to life-threatening.

When incompatible blood is introduced, the patient’s immune system perceives it as a foreign substance and attacks the red blood cells, a response known as hemolysis. This reaction can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, back pain, and dark urine, indicating that the body is attempting to eliminate the incompatible blood.

In severe cases, incompatible blood transfusions lead to circulatory shock and organ failure during surgery, which can become fatal if not treated immediately. Patients experiencing these complications often require extensive follow-up care and may endure long-lasting health issues.

These reactions underscore the importance of strict transfusion protocols. Incompatible transfusions highlight the need for legal action to promote safety improvements within healthcare systems.

In cases involving incompatible blood type complications, liability may fall on various healthcare providers responsible for patient safety. Hospitals, blood banks, attending physicians, and transfusion technicians can all be held accountable if they failed to follow proper protocols in verifying blood compatibility. Liability extends to any professional or facility involved in the chain of care if their negligence directly contributed to the error. For example, if a physician overlooks a patient's blood type history or a lab mislabels blood supplies, they may be liable for resulting harm. Each liable party’s actions are carefully examined to ensure accountability in patient safety.

Administering an incompatible blood type is a "never event" that can cause severe, life-threatening complications. At Foran & Foran, we are committed to holding healthcare providers accountable for these egregious errors. Our team will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation and justice you deserve. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, give Foran & Foran's Prince George's County medical malpractice lawyers a call at (301) 441-2022. We proudly represent clients in Hyattsville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, La Plata, Silver Spring, Rockville, and the surrounding areas.