Can I Sue for Surgical Errors?
In medical malpractice cases involving surgeons, 75% of claims were based on intraoperative errors. While some errors can be reversed, surgical errors are a leading cause of permanent disability in the medical field, resulting in nearly one million deaths each year. Whereas surgical errors come in many forms, the consequences of a misstep are no less severe.
At Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC, our South Carolina medical malpractice attorneys have seen the devastation caused by surgical errors. Depending on the extent of injury, an individual may require round-the-clock care, being unable to bathe, clothe, or feed themselves. Your welfare is our utmost concern, which is why our legal team is adamant in fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Examples of Surgical Errors
An estimated 4,000 surgical errors take place each year, all of which are known as “never events.” These events are unintentional, completely preventable, and as the name suggests, should never happen. Oftentimes, the never event results in adverse consequences.
Common examples of never events in surgery include:
Wrong Site Surgery
Whether it be amputating the wrong leg or wrong body part, wrong-site surgeries are estimated to take place on average forty times per week in the United States. Various reasons can be attributed to this error, including failure to mark the operation site, miscommunication between the provider and patient, and confusion when performing multiple procedures while the patient is under general anesthesia.
Although medical facilities have implemented safeguards to prevent these “never events,” they can and still do occur. Sadly, wrong-site surgery places the patient in worse health than having no surgery at all.
Development of Pressure Ulcers
A pressure ulcer forms when there is prolonged pressure to a specific area of the body, causing injury to the tissue and skin. During long surgeries, the care team should position the patient appropriately, provide cushioning, and frequently check on their skin to ensure that pressure ulcers are not forming.
Foreign Objects Left Inside Patient
Foreign objects, commonly known as retained surgical items (RSI), can be left inside patients, causing discomfort and potential infection. It is estimated that approximately 1,500 foreign objects are left behind from procedures annually. Common RSIs left in patients include surgical sponges, clamps, retractors, electrodes, and other surgical instruments. Symptoms of an RSI include headaches, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and difficulty breathing. Over time, a person may experience sepsis, which is the body’s response to an infection, causing the immune system to go haywire, attacking organs and healthy tissue.
Legal Recourse for Intraoperative Errors
As patients, we rely on physicians to hone their knowledge, skill, and training to provide us with exceptional care. A physician who exhibits poor decision-making during a stressful moment in surgery or overlooks a surgical instrument left behind has failed to meet their professional obligations to their patient. If you have experienced harm due to a physician’s carelessness or ineptitude, our medical malpractice attorneys would like to speak with you.
Contact a South Carolina Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
Medical malpractice can inhibit you from living the life you want and spending time with your loved ones. If you have fallen victim to a provider’s negligence, do not hesitate to contact our South Carolina medical malpractice attorneys. For nearly four decades, our legal team has helped innocent persons recover just damages for their suffering. To learn how we can help you, contact Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC, online or by phone at (864) 432-1796. We offer free case evaluations.