Surgical Errors
Having to undergo surgery can be frightening, but a surgical error can change a patient forever.
Most people know that before a surgical procedure is undertaken, the patient is typically informed about the risks of the procedure. While almost every surgery carries risks, such as an anesthesia reaction, infection, or healing complications, a risk of the procedure does not include having to anticipate surgical errors.
Unfortunately, surgical errors are not as rare as we are led to believe. Thousands of people are injured and die every year due to the complications of surgical errors related to medical negligence, and these injuries can cause some of the most devastating of all medical consequences.
Case files involving Surgical Errors
Improper Cataract Surgery Causing Floppy Iris
Unnecessary and Contraindicated Liver Transplant
Unnecessary Liver Transplant
Retained Catheter Causing Need for Liver Transplant
Surgical Error During Pregnancy
Surgical Error / Facial Nerve Damage
Failure to Treat Infection in Pregnant Woman resulting in Infant Brain Damage
Failure to Perform Hysterectomy Resulting in Post-Partum Death
Injury to Shoulder During Gallbladder Surgery
Incomplete Operation Resulting in Death
Error in Gynecological Surgery
LASIK Screening
Surgical Error During Thyroidectomy
Surgical Device Left in Patient
Plastic Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Error
Common Hepatic Bile Duct Cut During Surgery
Cardiac surgeon implanted wrong heart valve
Negligently Performing Laparoscopic Surgery Causing Bowel Perforation and Untimely Death
Failure to Perform Proper Surgery and Severing Peroneal Nerve
Surgical Error during Heart Bypass Operation
Negligent Back Surgery causing Permanent Damage
Surgical Needle Left in Patient. Suit filed 8-yrs after surgery
Medication Error Leading to Anesthesia Awareness
Death Following Pacemaker Insertion
Common Surgical Errors include:
Lack of Proper Pre-Operative Planning
Before any surgery is undertaking, it is considered a surgical error if the doctor does not fully consider his patient, why the surgery is needed, and if the surgery should be done in the first place. Examples include the doctor’s failure to fully investigate or understand the patient’s medical history, the patient’s ability to undergo the operation, and whether it is in the best interests of the patient to have the surgery. Proper planning can help stop future problems after surgery.
Surgical Errors During the Operation
The majority of surgical errors occur at this point; that is during the procedure. Examples include making incorrect incisions, damaging nearby organs or causing nerve damage. Other examples include prolonged surgeries due to unanticipated complications which can lead to anesthesia complications, brain damage, cardiovascular problems and death. The most obvious surgical errors are when a doctor operates on the wrong part of the body or leaves a sponge or other type of medical instrument in a patient, causing post-operative damage, pain and further unnecessary surgeries.
Post-Operative Injuries
Surgical errors also include those injuries that occur post-operatively, because many times it is an error during the surgery that causes post-operative complications. This includes infections, delayed healing, or the need for other, unanticipated further surgeries.
Medical malpractice is a terrible thing, and surgical errors can be devastating. Because our firm has taken these types of cases to trial, our attorneys have gained a working knowledge of the medical facts and complex issues involved. This background enables them to be better prepared to take on the hospital and insurance company experts opposing them at trial. Additionally, our firm has developed our own network of doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals with whom we work closely on these matters. We are extremely comprehensive in every aspect of our preparation and completely dedicated to achieving successful results that will make a real difference in the lives of our clients.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of surgical error or other medical malpractice, contact one of the attorneys at Harry S. Cohen & Associates, P.C. We will evaluate your claim for free and represent you on a contingent fee basis, which means you don’t pay attorneys’ fees unless you recover on your claim.