When Routine Surgery Leads to a Malpractice Claim
Every surgical procedure comes with risk, and even a routine surgery could leave you with serious losses that could support a personal injury claim if professional negligence played a role. Medical malpractice occurs when professional care is substandard, and the consequences can be difficult to overstate. If you were injured during routine surgery, you need one of our experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Fanelli, Evans & Patel in Reading, PA, backing you up.
Surgical Errors
Certain surgeries are called routine because they are performed often and are, therefore, less risky than many others. The fact is, however, that there is always a risk of surgical error, and when such errors occur, they sometimes support personal injury claims.
If the surgeon in question failed to implement the same level of care that other medical professionals with similar expertise would have under similar circumstances, it is malpractice. This standard also applies to other members of the surgical team. Surgical errors can take many forms, but most fall into basic categories like the following:
- Inadequate surgical prep, which includes failure to effectively assess the patient in terms of overall health, underlying conditions, and allergies before surgery
- Imprecise incisions, which can lead to nerve damage or damage to nearby tissue or a nearby organ
- Failure to maintain clear lines of communication between all members of the surgical team can have a snowball effect
- Problems related to the administration or monitoring of anesthesia
- Inadequate post-surgical care
- Inadequate sterilization of the surgical tools
Never Events
Certain surgical errors should never occur. They include performing the wrong surgery, operating on the wrong patient, and operating on the wrong body part, such as the wrong side of the patient’s body. One of the most common forms of never events is leaving a surgical implement, such as a surgical sponge, in the patient’s body.
When the Medical Facility is Liable
Sometimes, the hospital or medical facility itself is responsible for serious problems that arise during routine surgeries. These generally relate to factors like the following:
- Inferior hiring practices
- Outdated or poorly maintained surgical equipment
- Poorly maintained operating rooms
- Inadequate safety protocols
- Understaffing and other practices that lead to fatigue-based errors
It’s Time to Consult Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Being harmed by a routine surgical procedure can alter the course of your future. Our savvy Reading medical malpractice attorneys at Fanelli, Evans & Patel, understand the gravity of your situation and are committed to taking the steps necessary to help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled. We are on your side and here to help, so please don’t delay reaching out by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 484-869-2113 today.