Operation Mistakes; Surgery Malpractice

There are many obvious surgical errors, such as instruments, sponges, needles or other tools being left inside a patient, or where the wrong patient is wheeled into the operating room, or where the wrong limb is operated on, or where the patient falls off the operating table.

While most of these kinds of safety problems are out of the control of patients, there are some things that can be done by patients to prevent them. Here are some ideas to help patients have more confidence in their surgeons.

Less obvious surgery mistakes abound ––– the patient may have an inexplicably bad result, or may suffer a symptom that is not within the known risks of the medical procedure.

Surgical and other medical errors are by now infamously widespread in the United States, including New York. Many errors could be prevented if only medical professionals would adopt, and follow, strict safety protocols or rules. The Joint Commission, the body that accredits hospitals, has developed a "Universal Protocol" for surgeons. The most important part of this protocol is check lists and" time–outs" to verify that it is the right patient, the right body part, the right procedure, etc.

When a patients require a surgical procedure, doctors are required to inform them about inherent risks associated with the surgery. Virtually all surgeries carry a at least some risks, which a patient legally assumes as long as they are explained (examples: anesthesia reactions, infection, blood clots, heart attacks, healing complications). But a surgical mistake is not one of the risks that the patient legally assumes when he agrees to the surgery.

Too many people are needlessly injured by surgical error, which is a type of medical malpractice. By "medical negligence" or "medical malpractice", we mean that a medical professional's procedures, skill and care fell below the standard and proper medical care in the profession, and that this failure led to injury, illness or death.

Surgical errors are some of the most common, but shocking, of all medical mistakes. Surgery mistakes can be caused by: Poor pre–operative planning;

Surgical errors can be caused by many careless or negligent actions or omission on the part of medical personnel, but common errors include: Poor pre–operative planning, errors during the procedure, anesthesia malpractice, incorrect or erroneous incisions, nerve damage, wrong site surgery, post–operative errors, and failure to prevent infections.

Surgical malpractice can be serious injury, including nerve damage, organ damage, unnecessary scarring, loss of range of motion, paralysis, loss of sensation, heart attacks and death.

Michaels & Smolak has recovered millions of dollars for clients injured, or whose loved ones were killed, by surgical errors and for other injuries. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a surgery malpractice, CONTACT US for a free consultation with an experienced lawyer who can inform you of your legal rights and maximize your compensation.