When you or a loved one has surgery, you place your trust in a team of medical professionals. You expect that your care won’t stop the moment the operation ends. Monitoring for complications is an important part of recovery. However, when medical staff fail to notice or respond to warning signs, their inaction could lead to devastating outcomes.
The Georgia medical malpractice lawyers at Kurle Law, LLC have seen firsthand how a simple oversight can lead to long-term suffering. These mistakes are preventable. If a doctor or nurse ignored your symptoms after surgery and you were seriously hurt as a result, you may have a medical malpractice case. Read on to learn the warning signs that should never be ignored after surgery and what your legal options may be if they were.
What are the common warning signs after surgery?
After surgery, your body goes through a healing process that needs to be watched closely. Certain symptoms can be signs that something is going wrong and require immediate medical attention. If doctors or nurses ignore these red flags, it could lead to serious harm or even death.
The symptoms that should never be ignored include:
- Fever and chills: These are often signs of an infection, especially after surgery.
- Increased pain: Some pain is expected, but sharp, worsening pain can indicate internal bleeding or nerve damage.
- Redness, swelling, or pus: These are signs of infection at the surgical site.
- Shortness of breath or chest pain: These symptoms could point to a blood clot, which can be life-threatening if it travels to the lungs.
- Unusual bleeding or bruising: This may signal problems with clotting or internal bleeding.
- Nausea, confusion, or dizziness: These can be signs of sepsis, medication errors, or internal issues that need immediate care.
Why timing matters
The first 24 to 72 hours after surgery are often the most critical, as this is when infections, bleeding, or clots are most likely to appear. Nurses and doctors should be carefully monitoring you during this time, not just during your hospital stay but also through proper discharge instructions and follow-up care.
When hospitals are understaffed or fail to communicate, these signs may be missed. And the longer it takes to treat a complication, the worse the outcome can be.
How does medical negligence make things worse?
Many complications after surgery are treatable if caught early. But when warning signs are missed or dismissed, small problems can quickly become life-threatening emergencies. This is what medical neglect often looks like:
- Nurses may fail to report a change in vital signs to the attending doctor.
- Doctors might dismiss your concerns or symptoms without running proper tests.
- Medical staff may be overworked or poorly trained, leading to serious oversights.
- Test results might not be reviewed in time to make critical decisions.
As a result of this neglect, we’ve seen patients develop:
- Sepsis: This is a widespread infection that can lead to organ failure or death.
- Organ damage: This is caused by internal bleeding or untreated infections.
- Amputations: This happens when untreated infections spread too far.
- Permanent disability: This includes loss of mobility or cognitive function.
- Death: Cases of prolonged and serious neglect can have tragic consequences.
When does ignoring symptoms become medical malpractice?
Not every surgical complication is malpractice. But if your doctor ignored symptoms that any reasonable professional would have acted on, and you were seriously harmed as a result, you may have a strong case. Building a case often requires a thorough investigation and expert medical testimony. To prove medical malpractice in Georgia, you must show the following:
- A doctor-patient relationship existed.
- The medical provider failed to meet the standard of care.
- That failure caused your injury.
- You suffered damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Depending on the specifics of your case, liability may fall on one party, or multiple parties may share responsibility. They typically include:
- The surgeon
- The attending physician
- Nurses or other hospital staff
- The hospital or surgical center itself
What should I do if I suspect post-surgical negligence?
You don’t have to be a medical expert to know when something went wrong. If you or a loved one suffered serious complications after surgery and you believe medical staff ignored key symptoms, take these steps right away:
- Get a second opinion: Another doctor can help confirm whether your care was appropriate.
- Request your medical records: This documentation can be helpful in building your case.
- Take notes: Write down everything you remember, including dates, symptoms, and conversations with staff.
- Speak to a medical malpractice attorney: An experienced lawyer can help you understand your rights and determine whether you have a valid claim.
- Don't wait too long: Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations for most medical malpractice claims. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to take legal action.
Get a skilled Decatur medical malpractice lawyer who can fight to hold negligent parties accountable
If you or a loved one is dealing with the devastating consequences of ignored symptoms after surgery, the Decatur medical malpractice lawyers at Kurle Law, LLC can help you get justice. We know what it takes to stand up to hospitals and insurance companies. We've seen the tactics they try to use to cover their tracks and reduce compensation to victims. With decades of experience handling medical malpractice cases in Decatur and throughout Georgia, we’re here to help you get the answers and compensation you deserve.
We don’t just offer legal help. Our compassionate and knowledgeable legal team offers personal support during one of the most difficult times in your life. We take the time to understand your story, investigate what went wrong, and fight to hold the responsible parties accountable. You’ll never feel like just another case file because we treat every client like family.
If your recovery took a wrong turn because a medical provider missed the warning signs, contact us today for a free consultation. Let’s talk about what happened and how we can help make it right.
“Jennifer is the most conscientious lawyer I know. The level of integrity with which she practices makes her highly respected by her clients and other members of the legal community. I highly recommend Jennifer for your most serious personal injury cases.” - J.K., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐