Medical professionals, like surgeons and surgical staff, are highly trained and have dedicated years of their lives to studying medicine. However, even professionals make mistakes, and when they make an error during surgery, it can have devastating consequences.
When such a situation arises, patients or their families should reach out to a medical malpractice lawyer in Rockford, IL. Contacting an experienced legal firm helps victims of medical malpractice pursue the compensation they deserve to cover resulting medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
When are Surgical Errors Considered Malpractice?
Surgeons are expected to provide exceptional medical care in the form of surgical procedures. While sometimes procedures do not produce the best possible results, or the recovery period is difficult, this is much different than a patient suffering because of a surgeon’s mistake.
Despite surgeons’ advanced education and experience, it is not impossible for them to make surgical errors. Some common surgical mistakes that may lead to a malpractice claim include:
- Incorrect Site – When the incorrect surgical site is operated on, meaning the wrong body part or area of the body.
- Wrong Patient – When an unnecessary surgery is performed, usually because patient medical records are accidentally mixed up, this can be a substantial case for medical malpractice.
- Foreign Object Left Behind – Items like scalpels, sponges, or other surgical tools can and have been left inside patients’ bodies by mistake.
- Nerve or Organ Damage – If a surgeon accidentally damages an organ or nerve, this could lead to serious complications and possibly death.
- Infection – If an infection results due to unsanitary medical equipment, this could lead to serious consequences for the patient.
Every surgical error does not constitute medical malpractice. It is when mistakes that occur are below the appropriate standard of care and cause injury or death to a patient that liability issues and malpractice suits can arise.
“Standard of care” is the level of care that would be expected from any healthcare provider with the same training and experience, under similar circumstances. Expert testimony from medical professionals is often used to establish what the standard of care should have been, and how the surgeon or surgical staff’s actions failed to meet it.
Reasons for Surgical Errors
Surgical errors can occur for a number of reasons, including some of the following:
- Unqualified – A healthcare provider may not be adequately educated or skilled to follow through with the medical treatment.
- Ill-prepared for the Operation – If medical staff did not prepare for the surgery, such as considering possible complications and preparing necessary equipment, it increases the chances mistakes will occur.
- Failure to Communicate – If surgical staff fail to communicate with one another, and information about possible procedure complications, allergies to medications, etc. is not discussed, this can have detrimental results.
- Fatigue – Surgeons are often required to perform several complex surgeries a day, and may suffer from severe fatigue which could impair their abilities to conduct surgery.
- Drugs or Alcohol – Some medical professionals may struggle with drug or alcohol abuse, which can negatively impact their abilities to perform surgery.
Complications
Surgical errors often cause serious complications to patients, and can result in life-threatening situations or results, such as:
- Organ Damage
- Nerve Damage
- Infection
- Internal Bleeding
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Sepsis
- Permanent Disability
Medical Malpractice Settlements in Illinois
With legal help from an experienced medical malpractice lawyer, victims of medical malpractice can file for compensation to cover the full extent of their injuries and pay for damages, such as the following:
- Corrective Surgeries
- In-Home Care
- Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy
- Modifications to Home or Vehicle
- Medication
- Lost Wages
- Lost Earning Capacity
- Pain and Suffering
Contact The American Law Firm
If you or a loved one has been injured due to suspected medical malpractice, contact the lawyers at the American Law Firm. Our team of experienced medical malpractice attorneys are here to help you obtain the compensation you deserve- so you can focus on your recovery. Contact us today for more information.
