Most people trust their surgeons with their lives, but few realize that preventable surgical errors are a leading cause of injury and death in the United States. In Georgia alone, medical malpractice claims related to surgical errors often involve devastating consequences, ranging from prolonged recovery times to permanent disabilities or even fatalities. These cases highlight the importance of holding negligent medical professionals accountable for their actions.
Common causes of surgery mistakes
Surgical errors do not occur in a vacuum; they often result from systemic or individual failures in medical care, such as:
- Inadequate training or experience: Surgeons lacking proper qualifications or experience are more likely to make mistakes during complex procedures.
- Poor communication: Miscommunication among surgical teams can result in wrong-site surgeries or other critical errors.
- Fatigue: Overworked surgeons and medical staff often face exhaustion, impairing their ability to focus during procedures.
- Systemic issues: Hospital policies that prioritize efficiency over patient safety can create environments where errors are more likely to occur.
- Failure to follow protocols: Deviations from established safety protocols can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Surgical errors and medical malpractice claims
Surgical mistakes can take many forms, but some errors appear more frequently in malpractice claims. These errors often stem from preventable oversight or procedural failures:
- Wrong-site surgery: Performing surgery on the wrong body part is a shocking yet avoidable mistake that can leave patients permanently harmed.
- Retained surgical instruments: Leaving sponges, scalpels, or other tools inside a patient can cause severe infections, chronic pain, and additional surgeries.
- Anesthesia errors: Mistakes with anesthesia—whether administering too much or too little—can lead to brain damage, cardiac arrest, or death.
- Nerve damage: Careless surgical techniques can result in nerve injuries, causing long-term pain, paralysis, or loss of function.
- Organ perforation: Accidental damage to organs during surgery can lead to life-threatening complications and extended hospital stays.
The consequences of surgical errors often extend far beyond the operating room. Patients may face prolonged physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Common injuries caused by surgical errors include chronic pain, infections, loss of function - even death. Legal action is often the only way to secure the resources needed for recovery and hold negligent parties accountable.
How to identify if a surgical error occurred
Many patients may not immediately realize they are victims of a surgical error. Knowing the signs can help individuals seek medical and legal assistance quickly. Common indicators of a surgical error include:
- Unexpected complications requiring additional surgeries.
- Unexplained chronic pain or infections following surgery.
- Symptoms that align with wrong-site surgery, retained instruments, or nerve damage.
- Inconsistent explanations from medical professionals about surgical outcomes.
Recognizing these red flags is critical. If you suspect a surgical error, obtaining a second medical opinion and consulting with a lawyer experienced in medical malpractice is essential.
The devastating impact of mistakes in surgery
Surgical errors carry significant financial and personal costs. Victims often face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and long-term rehabilitation expenses. In Georgia, the law allows victims to seek compensation for these damages, as well as for non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.
However, pursuing a medical malpractice claim can be daunting without the right legal support. Hospitals and their insurers often have teams of lawyers dedicated to minimizing payouts. Working with a skilled Georgia medical malpractice attorney can make all the difference in recovering the compensation victims and their families need to rebuild their lives. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can:
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding the surgical error and collect evidence.
- Collaborate with medical experts to establish negligence.
- Handle negotiations with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement.
- Advocate for victims in court if necessary.
Legal representation is not just about compensation; it’s about justice and accountability. By taking action, victims can protect their rights and ensure negligent healthcare providers are held responsible.
Our medical malpractice attorneys can help you demand accountability
Medical errors can have devastating consequences for patients and their families. If a surgical procedure goes wrong due to negligence, victims should consult an attorney who can assess their claim and help recover compensation for their losses.
Victims in Decatur and throughout Georgia who suspect they have been harmed by a surgical mistake should contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer. For 20 years, Kurle Justus, LLC in Decatur, has fought for the rights of medical malpractice victims.
Our case results include a $15 million medical malpractice settlement against a major Georgia hospital corporation and a $3.2 million malpractice verdict against a major healthcare system, among other multi-million-dollar results.
If you were injured or a family member died due to a surgical error, contact us to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your rights and how we can help you pursue the compensation and justice you deserve.
"After searching for several weeks for the right attorney firm for us, we found Kurle Justus, LLC. We knew immediately at our initial phone meeting/face-to-face conversation that they understood our case and that they would fight for us for the right and fair settlement. From the start, they had our back, and we have never been disappointed with our decision to choose Kurle Justus, LLC. They fought multiple law firms to get us a fair settlement." - Joe W., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐