Surgeon Mistakes

Various Surgeon Mistakes

The inherent danger of surgery does not excuse the fact that accidents and mistakes can drastically affect the health and life of the victim. Medical and surgical technology has advanced by leaps and bounds over the past few decades, but no amount of sophisticated equipment or advanced training can fully eliminate human carelessness, negligence, or irresponsibility.

Common surgeon mistakes include:

• Accidentally severing a nerve:  Nerve damage is particularly dangerous because nerves cannot usually be healed in conventional ways.
• Puncturing an organ or membrane:  The human body is a delicate machine, and organs are extraordinarily susceptible to injury if a surgeon is careless with scalpels, lasers, or drills.  Punctured organs can cause internal bleeding, blood clots, and septic shock.
• Internal bleeding:  Unnoticed and uncontrolled internal bleeding can cause a number of complications.  Chronic bleeding can cause severe damage over time, while spontaneous hemorrhaging can be immediately life-threatening.
• Surgical tools left in a body:  Although it sounds comical, surgical tools left in the body can pose a serious danger to their victims.  Severed nerves, punctured organs, infection, and exposure to dangerous chemicals can severely endanger the life of an innocent victim.
• Infections:  Without proper antiseptic conditions, surgical patients can develop serious infections.  If these infections are not treated promptly they can cause significant long term damage and even death.
• Operating on the wrong side or limb:  Although many people believe that this basic mistake is impossible in this day and age, there are dozens of people every year who suffer the consequences of operations on the wrong leg, arm, eye, or even hemisphere of the brain.
• Failure to address unexpected complications properly:  Hemorrhaging, suffocation, organ failure, and anesthesia errors can cause unplanned situations that need immediate and expert attention.  If a surgeon is not experienced enough to be prepared for every contingency they must engage the help they need before operating.

If you or someone you know was the victim of a surgical mistake, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. You must act quickly, for the law limits the amount of time you have to pursue your legal rights. Let our dedicated and experienced surgical mistake lawyers help you get what you deserve. Contact us today.