Victims of surgical errors are legally protected
Surgical errors can be devastating to victims which is why victims have important legal protections when they have been injured or otherwise harmed by surgical errors or other medical malpractice. When a medical care provider has been careless and negligently harmed a patient, victims and their families can seek compensation for their physical, financial and emotional damages through a personal injury claim for damages.
Unfortunately, medical malpractice and surgical errors may also result in fatalities which is why in addition to personal injury options for injured victims, family members of victims lost due to medical malpractice may be able to recover compensation for their damages through a wrongful death claim for damages. It is reasonable for patients and families to rely on the understanding that they will be safe in the hands of their trusted medical care provider and legal remedies are available when that trust is violated.
Medical malpractice and surgical errors that may be compensable for injured victims include wrong site surgery such as the amputation of an incorrect limb or removal of a healthy organ; unnecessary surgery; instruments left behind in the body of the patient; cutting or nicking an organ during surgery; damage to the spinal cord during surgery that may result in paralysis; nerve damage; blindness that may result from errors during eye surgery; anesthesiology errors; failure to properly monitor for post-surgical complications such as infection or blood clots; improper post-operative care; and medication errors following surgery.
Medical errors result in 100,000 deaths annually and injuries and harm to tens of thousands more victims. When a surgical error or other medical malpractice has resulted in permanent harm or death, it is important for victims and their families to understand the legal options and resources available to help them with the challenges they face created by the carelessness of a medical care provider.