Decatur Surgical Error Lawyers Demanding Justice For You
Our medical malpractice attorneys can fight for your rights
Surgeons undergo years of training to learn how to safely operate on patients with severe injuries or illnesses. Unfortunately, surgeons are not perfect. They sometimes make mistakes. When they do, the consequences can be serious. Instead of getting better, surgical errors can result in even more severe injuries or a much worse medical condition.
When this happens, it’s critical that you take strong legal action to hold the surgeon responsible for his or her actions. That’s our job, and our experienced Georgia surgical error lawyers at Kurle Justus, LLC, can help you every step of the way – from filling out forms to filing a surgical error lawsuit if necessary.
Our attorneys know what to do because we have years of experience handling medical malpractice cases involving surgical errors. One of our lawyers even worked in the healthcare field for 10 years as a respiratory therapist before becoming an attorney. That’s just one of the things that sets our law firm apart – our in-depth experience and commitment to our clients.
What are common surgical errors?
Surgical errors that result in serious injuries, illnesses or infections can cover a wide range. Some of the most common – and most serious – surgical errors we deal with at our law firm involve:
- Misdiagnosis errors before surgery
- Anesthesia errors during surgery
- Delay in surgery
- Unnecessary surgical procedures
- Cutting errors
- Failure to control bleeding
- Operating on the wrong part of the body
- Operating on the wrong patient
- Surgical instruments left inside the patient
- Unsanitary conditions in hospital, resulting in a serious infection
- Post-operative errors, including failure to monitor patient after surgery
Is this what happened to you or a loved one? Or are you dealing with a different type of surgical error? Whatever went wrong with you or your loved one, you can count on our law firm to fight for your rights every step of the way after your surgical error.
Surgical error complications
Surgical errors can have devastating and long-lasting effects on a patient’s health and quality of life. What might begin as a routine procedure can quickly turn into a life-altering event if something goes wrong in the operating room. The consequences of surgical errors can vary widely, but they often involve significant physical, emotional, and financial hardships.
Here are some of the most common complications and consequences that can result from surgical errors:
- Infection: Unsanitary conditions or improper sterilization of surgical tools can lead to severe infections. These infections can spread throughout the body, causing sepsis or requiring additional surgeries to treat.
- Nerve damage: Accidental cutting or stretching of nerves during surgery can result in chronic pain, numbness, or even paralysis in the affected area. Nerve damage can be permanent, significantly impacting a patient’s mobility and quality of life.
- Organ damage: In some cases, a surgeon may damage an organ that was not meant to be operated on. This can lead to organ failure, internal bleeding, or the need for additional surgeries to repair the damage.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Surgical errors can result in unnecessary or excessive scarring, or even disfigurement. This can impact a patient’s mental health and self-esteem, leading to long-term emotional distress.
- Loss of function: Errors during surgery may cause permanent loss of function in a limb or other body parts. This can lead to a loss of independence and the need for lifelong care or assistance.
- Prolonged recovery time: A surgical error often extends the recovery period far beyond what was originally expected. This can result in additional time off work, increased medical expenses, and a longer period of physical and emotional suffering.
- Death: In the most severe cases, surgical errors can lead to the wrongful death of the patient. The loss of a loved one due to a preventable mistake in surgery is a tragic and heartbreaking outcome.
The impact of surgical errors can be catastrophic, affecting not just the patient but their entire family. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a surgical error, it's crucial to seek legal assistance to hold the responsible parties accountable and pursue the compensation needed to cover medical costs, lost income, and the pain and suffering endured.
What makes surgical error cases complicated?
Surgical errors often turn into complex legal cases. Some of the reasons why include:
- The surgeon denies doing anything wrong.
- Other medical professionals present during surgery deny wrongdoing.
- Evidence related to your case no longer exists or has been intentionally destroyed.
- The surgeon claims your case involves an unrelated medical issue.
- The surgeon’s insurance company denies your medical malpractice claim.
The stakes are high when it comes to surgical error cases. Depending on several factors – including medical bills and lost income during recovery after surgery – the financial toll of a surgical error can quickly add up to thousands or even millions of dollars.
That’s why surgeons and hospitals often hire entire teams of attorneys to defend their actions. These tactics don’t intimidate us. We know how to investigate complex cases and find the evidence that matters. If they refuse to cooperate, we will not hesitate to file a surgical error lawsuit on your behalf.
What is the average surgical error settlement?
When it comes to surgical error settlements, it can be difficult to calculate an "average" amount that can be easily referenced. Every case is unique, with its own set of circumstances. Because of this, settlement amounts can vary widely based on the specifics of the case.
Several factors often contribute to determining the settlement amount in a surgical error case, including:
- Severity of injury: The extent of harm caused by the surgical error, such as permanent disability, prolonged recovery, or loss of function, plays a significant role in the settlement calculation.
- Medical expenses: The cost of medical treatment required due to the error, including surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and rehabilitation, will be considered.
- Lost wages and future earnings: Compensation for time missed from work due to recovery, as well as any potential future income lost if the injury impacts your ability to work long-term or work in a reduced capacity.
- Pain and suffering: The physical and emotional distress caused by the surgical error is often a significant part of the settlement.
- Impact on quality of life: Any reduction in your ability to enjoy life, such as loss of independence or ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed, can also influence the settlement amount.
Working with an experienced attorney is essential with these types of cases. An experienced surgical error lawyer can help you understand the value of your case by carefully evaluating all relevant factors. They can provide an estimate of the potential settlement amount and will fight to make sure you receive no less than what you deserve. Your attorney will advocate on your behalf, negotiating with insurance companies and the responsible parties to secure the maximum compensation possible for your unique situation.
Don’t suffer in silence due your surgical error. Contact our law firm today.
Don’t underestimate the complexity of your surgical error case. Get the help you deserve from a law firm you can trust. Contact Kurle Justus, LLC, and schedule your free case evaluation. One of our experienced Georgia medical malpractice lawyers can evaluate your case and explain the options available to you. We can meet with you in our Decatur office, in your hospital room, your home or virtually via video chat. Whatever works best for you.