A “never-event” describes a situation of surgical malpractice that should have never happened. Every year, over 4,000 people, who undergo the surgeon’s knife, are injured by the procedure.
The preventable mistakes often carry a hefty price for the patient, and in some cases, the errors can be fatal. Studies show that in 2017, there were 9,744 paid malpractice judgments, with claims totaling over $1.3 billion.
Almost 300 patients are incorrectly operated on by surgeons every year. A further 2,500 patients receive operations to the wrong body part.
If you are the victim of a surgical error, you should contact a Miami personal injury lawyer to ensure compensation for your injury at the hands of a medical professional. Our attorneys will work to help you recover for medical expenses, sue for damages, and any loss of income that results from the effects of the surgical error.
Cases of Surgical Medical Malpractice
Miami Medical Malpractice Lawyers – The Most Common Surgical Errors We See
Pre and post-operative care are only responsible for 25% of surgical errors. 75% of all mistakes occur on the operating table at the hand of the surgeon. Some of the more common surgical malpractice injuries include:
- Loss of wrong body part
- Anesthesia miscalculations and errors that result in brain damage from a lack of oxygen.
- Foreign objects and instruments left in the patient’s body, such as knives, or sponges
- Punctured organs
- Nerve damage
- Infections
Some errors are more dangerous than others. If the patient experiences symptoms of pain and internal bleeding after surgery, there is a chance they have fallen victim to a surgical error. A medical team should be alerted to the mistake immediately so proactive steps can be taken to address it before further complications ensue.
Errors with anesthesia can be deadly, and post-operative care is a critical stage of recovery that leaves the patient exposed to infection. If you have experienced any of these unfortunate circumstances, speak to our personal injury attorney in Miami to find out how you can take legal action against the healthcare professional responsible.
Symptoms and Signs of Surgical Errors
Some surgical errors may not be visible, or present symptoms directly after the surgery. It may take days for a patient to shows signs of infection, or other malpractice errors such as instruments left behind in the body at the surgery site. If at any stage you feel like your condition is deteriorating after a surgery, alert your healthcare providers immediately. Some signs and symptoms of surgical errors to be aware of are;
- Redness, soreness, or swelling near the surgical wounds
- Fever
- Discomfort or burning pain when urinating
- Intense abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Severe pain at or near the surgical site
Medical Malpractice Lawyers – The Most Common Surgical Errors We See
On the day of surgery, make sure that you arrange to speak with your surgeon. Make sure that they have had enough sleep the night before and they are not tired. Tired surgeons and residents are 178% more likely to make an error.
Enquire about the details of your surgery and make sure that the surgeon breaks down exactly what they will be operating on when you are lying unconscious on their table. A Miami personal injury attorney will be able to use this information in building the case of a medical error made by your surgeon.
What to do if You Are a Victim of Surgical Malpractice
If you have the unfortunate experience of being a victim of surgical errors, speak to a personal injury lawyer in Miami about filing a malpractice case. Your lawyer will look at your unique situation and give you recommendations for the best course of restitution against the surgeon responsible for your injury.
Working with a personal injury attorney will ensure that you are compensated for your injury and reduce the likelihood of the surgeon hurting anyone else in the future.
We handle a variety of cases, so call us now if you have any questions.
View more contact information here: Miami Medical Malpractice Lawyers.
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