Surgical Errors
Surgical errors happen with alarming frequency, even in the United States. The New York Medical Malpractice Attorneys at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman, P.C. have helped many individuals who trusted their surgeons, yet were hurt by a surgical error. The consequences of surgical errors can be severe, even fatal, and those who are affected by surgical errors have a legal right to compensation for their losses.
Thousands of Surgical Errors Each Year
Every year in the U.S., over 70 million in-patient and outpatient surgical procedures are performed, and thousands of surgical errors occur. Surgeons are human beings, after all, and to err is human. However, some surgical errors fall within the category of medical malpractice - the surgical care does not meet the standard of practice to which a surgeon must adhere.
Many Types of Surgical Errors
Surgical errors can occur during the surgery and before or after the surgery. Examples of surgical errors include when the surgeon:
• leaves a surgical instrument or surgical sponge inside the patient’s body
• performs the wrong surgical procedure
• makes surgical incisions incorrectly
• punctures, lacerates or severs a blood vessel, nerve or organ
• operates on the wrong body part (such as a limb)
• operates on the wrong patient
Anesthesiologists also commit a variety of errors, and an entire surgical team (e.g., surgeon(s), nurse(s), anesthesiologist, technicians, etc.) may make mistakes based on miscommunication. Many surgeries are very complex procedures, and surgical errors can happen at virtually any stage in the process.
Some Surgeries Are More Prone to Errors
Although a surgical error can occur during any type of surgery, errors most commonly happen during the following types of surgery:
• abdominal
• cardiothoracic
• gastric bypass
• laparoscopic
• plastic
• thoracic
The Results of Surgical Errors
Very severe injuries (and fatalities) can result from surgical errors. Examples of injuries that may occur because of a surgical error include:
• blood clots
• brain damage
• coma
• infections
• nerve damage
• organ damage
• paralysis
When You’re the Victim of a Surgical Error
The medical malpractice law firm Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman, P.C. provides seasoned, compassionate legal representation to patients who have been harmed by a surgical error. Contact experienced New York Medical Malpractice Attorneys today to arrange a private consultation.