Going into a hospital for any surgical procedure can be anxiety-inducing, but you need to trust your medical professionals because sometimes, there is no alternative. But even with some of the best, nationally-recognized medical facilities we have access to in Wilkes-Barre, surgical errors can lead to serious injury, whether a mistake made during the procedure, an error in administering anesthesia, or postoperative complications due to negligence in any step in your medical care, any mistake during or immediately after surgery can have life-altering consequences.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a surgical error in Wilke Barre, PA, you want to talk to a medical malpractice attorney at Munley Law as soon as possible. Our law firm can help walk you through the process of recovering financial compensation for your medical malpractice lawsuit, or, in the tragic case of the loss of a loved one, help you pursue a wrongful death case.
Most Common Surgical Errors in Wilkes-Barre, PA
The most common types of surgical errors that our medical malpractice lawyers see are:
- Wrong-Site Surgery: Operating on the wrong part of the body, such as the incorrect limb or organ.
- Incorrect Procedure: Performing the wrong surgical procedure due to miscommunication or misidentification or performing the surgery on the wrong patient.
- Anesthesia Errors: Mistakes in administering anesthesia, such as giving insufficient anesthesia or too much, or failing to recognize adverse reactions.
- Retained Surgical Instruments also known as “Retained foreign bodies”: Leaving surgical instruments or other foreign objects inside the patient’s body, which can cause severe infections and complications.
- Nerve Damage: Accidental damage to nerves during surgery can result in chronic, long-term pain or even loss of function.
- Infection: Postoperative infections due to improper sterilization of instruments, inadequate surgical site care or unhygienic conditions in surgery or recovery.
- Organ Perforation: Unintentional puncture or damage to internal organs, which can cause sepsis or more surgeries to repair.
- Failure to Monitor: Inadequate monitoring of the patient’s vital signs during and after surgery can lead to preventable complications and injury.
- Blood Clots: Failure to take preventive measures against blood clots, can result in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism.
- Improper Suturing: Incorrect suturing techniques, can cause wounds to reopen, get infected and/ or heal improperly.
- Medication Errors: Prescribing or administering the wrong medication or incorrect dosages before, during, or after surgery, can lead to harmful side effects or interactions.
Call a medical negligence attorney at Munley Law today if you or a loved one has experienced any of these surgical errors in Wilkes-Barre, PA. You might be entitled to financial compensation for the injuries suffered due to mistakes by medical providers.
The Common Causes of Surgical Errors in Wilkes-Barre
Surgical errors have multiple causes, from poor training to downright negligence. The common types of surgical errors include:
- Inadequate Training: Surgeons or medical staff can make critical mistakes without proper training or experience..
- Fatigue: Long hours and demanding schedules can lead to exhaustion, reducing a surgeon’s ability to perform accurately.
- Miscommunication: Poor communication among health care providers can result in mistakes such as wrong-site surgery or incorrect procedures.
- Faulty Equipment: Malfunctioning or improperly maintained surgical instruments or medical devices can lead to errors during the operation.
- Time Pressure: Rushing through procedures due to tight schedules or emergencies can increase the likelihood of errors.
- Inadequate Planning: Insufficient preoperative planning and lack of thorough patient evaluation can contribute to surgical mistakes.
- Lack of Standard Protocols for Patient Care: The absence of standardized procedures and checklists can lead to mistakes.
Consequences of Surgical Errors on People’s Lives
Surgical errors can cause severe and prolonged physical pain, affecting the patient’s quality of life. For example, errors that result in nerve damage or improper healing can lead to permanent disability or loss of function in affected areas.
Patients may require additional surgeries or treatments, which prolongs their recovery period and has a devasting impact on their daily lives. It can result in unexpected medical bills, loss of income due to inability to work, and ongoing care costs, which can create significant financial burdens.
The stress and anxiety from a surgical mistake can lead to emotional and psychological issues, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The long-term effects of a surgical error can strain relationships and place emotional and financial stress on the patient’s family.
The Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer in Surgical Error Cases
Your Wilkes-Barre surgical error attorney will know how to investigate your case and gather all necessary medical records, expert witnesses, and evidence to prove negligence. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to make sure you receive the maximum compensation possible for your suffering. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
Managing a surgical mistakes case by yourself can be overwhelming. Your attorney will provide you with expert legal advice and support throughout the process, answering your questions and keeping you informed every step of the way.
If your case goes to trial, your attorney will represent you in court which can help you present a cohesive and air-tight case with nothing left out or left to chance.
Common Questions about Surgical Error Cases in Wilkes-Barre
Who can I sue for surgery errors?
Talk to your Munley Law personal injury attorney about the specifics of your case. However, any negligent party can be held liable for surgery mistakes: your surgeon, attending nursing staff, anesthesiologist, or even the hospital itself.
How much does it cost to hire a medical malpractice lawyer?
Munley Law attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you owe us nothing upfront or anything at all until we win your case.
How do I know if I have a case?
You might have a medical negligence case if you have suffered any injury, harm, or loss due to a medical mistake by a healthcare professional.
Call an attorney at Munley Law today to help you understand the legal consequences and what compensation you might be entitled to for your injury or loss.
Your attorney will review your medical records, consult with experts, provide you with a clear picture of your legal options, and provide you with world-class legal representation without you even having to travel outside Luzerne County.
Call us today for a free initial consultation. We are experts in medical injury cases and we are ready to fight for you.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Wilkes-Barre Medical Malpractice Lawyer
You might be entitled to financial compensation if you or a loved one has been injured due to a mistake while in the care of a hospital or other medical facility immediately before, after, or during your surgery.
Call the attorneys at Munley Law today to find out how an attorney with expertise in medical malpractice law can help.
Munley Law is a family of attorneys representing victims of medical malpractice in the Wilkes-Barre area for over 60 years.
When you want a local, nationally recognized, experienced medical malpractice attorney, talk to Munley Law, right here in northeastern Pennsylvania. Let us fight for you.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1170 PA-315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
(570) 399-0406
