Types of Surgical Errors
Surgery can be a stressful experience for many people. While most procedures go as planned, some patients will fall victim to a surgical error. When surgical errors are caused by the negligence of a surgeon, anesthesiologist, or other medical professional, victims may seek recourse through a medical malpractice lawsuit. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury due to surgical errors, contact Reed & Terry Law Firm in Sugar Land, TX to learn more about your legal rights. The attorneys of Reed & Terry Law Firm are experienced in the complexities of medical malpractice claims and are dedicated to getting their clients the compensation they deserve.
Types of Surgical Errors
There are many different types of surgical errors that may occur every time surgery is performed. Fortunately, most surgeries are performed without error, but when errors do occur, it can be devastating to the patient. Some possible errors include:
- Leaving a foreign object in the body, such as a surgical sponge or instrument
- Operating on the wrong part or side of the body
- Operating on the wrong patient
- Performing the incorrect surgical procedure
- Causing infection with the use of unsterilized instruments or improper sterilization practices
- Failure to monitor vital signs, such as blood pressure or heart rate
- Administering the wrong medication or wrong dosage, including anesthesia
- Damage to the internal organs, such as the gallbladder, during diagnostic or laparoscopic surgery
Sometimes errors happen before surgery is performed, which can lead to problems when surgery does take place. Some errors that may occur before surgery include:
- Failure to perform pre-operative testing
- Failure to obtain required pre-operative clearance
- Failure to warn the patient of known risks, other treatment options, or adequate pre-operative information, which can result in lack of informed consent
Seeking Damages for Surgical Errors
Surgical errors can have a lifelong impact on those who have been injured by the negligence of a surgeon or medical professional. For some, the impact may not be immediately known, but will take time to before symptoms develop or become worse. For example, it may not become obvious that a surgical sponge was left in a patient until he or she experience pain or develops an infection. Whether the impact is instant, as with operating on the wrong side of the body, or takes time to develop, such as an infection, those who are responsible for surgical errors should be held liable.
When a surgical error has occurred due to a medical professional's negligence, it may be possible to recover damages through a medical malpractice lawsuit. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help guide victims of surgical errors and their loved ones through the process of litigation to help them recover such damages as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact the Medical Malpractice Attorneys at Reed & Terry, LLP
If you or a loved one have suffered a surgical error, you are encouraged to contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Reed & Terry Law Firm to learn more about your legal options. Our team will work with you to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
