Surgical errors are a leading cause of medical malpractice cases. When a surgeon’s error leads to a patient injury, the injured patient may have the right to seek compensation and accountability by filing a medical malpractice claim. Contact an Abington Township surgical error lawyer from Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. for legal guidance and representation.
Common Types of Surgical Errors
Surgical errors range dramatically from so-called “never events,” involving surgeries to the wrong patient or body part, to problems that arise during a complex surgery. Some of the most common mistakes include:
- Wrong-site surgery: This surgical error occurs when a surgeon performs the medical procedure on the wrong body part, such as removing a healthy organ instead of an unhealthy one. Hospitals have protocols and safeguards designed to prevent these types of major mistakes, such as requiring medical staff to identify and mark the body part to be operated on. Additionally, the medical team is supposed to carefully review and confirm this information before beginning the medical procedure.
- Retained foreign bodies: A retained foreign body is a scalpel, sponge, or other item that is accidentally left in a patient after closing them up after surgery. Medical facilities are supposed to adhere to strict equipment counts to prevent these errors, but medical professionals may forget to do so or not have time to do so if something goes wrong during the procedure. This mistake often requires a second surgery to remove the item.
- Nerve or organ damage: Surgeons may make mistakes during a surgical procedure, accidentally cutting a nerve or nicking an organ. Organ complications can also arise due to anesthesia errors, while nerve damage can occur due to improper positioning of the patient.
- Anesthesia errors: Surgical problems can arise from healthcare providers other than the surgeon or their staff. For example, one of the most common problems that arises during surgery is anesthesia errors. A patient may be given too much or too little anesthesia, which can cause brain damage or the patient to wake up prematurely, respectively.
- Infection: Patients can develop infections when medical equipment is not properly sterilized or when foreign bacteria are allowed to enter the patient’s body during the surgical procedure.
- Bleeding: While bleeding is to be expected, complications can arise when the surgical staff is not prepared to provide ample amounts of blood or an artery is nicked.
Surgeries with a Higher Rate of Surgical Error
While any surgery can potentially lead to a mistake, some are more likely to, including:
- C-section
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Gastric bypass
- Laparoscopic intestinal surgery
- Cosmetic surgery
Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys can consult with medical experts to determine why the surgical error happened and who can be held responsible.
Request a Free Case Evaluation Today
Learning that your surgeon has misplaced the trust that you have given them can be an emotionally distressing time. A compassionate Abington Township surgical error lawyer from Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. can help you pursue compensation for hospital costs, lost wages, rehabilitation, therapy, and other future care needs. Contact us today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you owe no attorney fees unless and until we win.