Illinois Surgical Errors Attorney
Surgery is an experience few people look forward to, but also one that most people are confident will end well. That’s a reasonable view, considering that most operations in America conclude with the patient on the road to recovery. However, there are times when surgeries end disastrously because of incompetence or negligence. Patients can be left with additional sickness or irreversible damage to the body. In severe cases, surgical mistakes can result in wrongful death.
If this has happened to you or a loved one then it’s crucial that you contact an Illinois surgical errors attorney from Lerner and Rowe. Our medical malpractice lawyers have the knowledge and experience to get you the maximum compensation in the event of a life-altering surgical error.
Surgical Mistakes to be Mindful Of
Surgeries can be invasive and traumatic procedures that could involve a vast array of medical professionals. Given the nature of operations and the people involved, there are a number of things that could wrong performed by a variety of healthcare professionals. Here are some surgical errors that would make any patient wary:
- Anesthesia errors: Anesthesiologists can deliver the wrong dosage, time the delivery wrong, or ignore a patient’s medical history. This can result in brain damage, heart damage, nerve damage, malignant hyperthermia, or wrongful death.
- Intravenous (IV) overdose or prescription error: A nurse may administer the wrong dosage of medicines or entirely wrong medicines. They may also use malfunctioning IV equipment during the recovery stage.
- Performing the wrong procedure or operating on the wrong area: Irregular charting and recording keeping could lead to a surgical team performing an operation that’s unsuitable for the patient, resulting in superfluous trauma.
- Operating on the wrong patient: These cases are extremely rare, but have happened; extraordinarily poor record keeping has lead to surgeons operating on a patient that was never supposed to receive that particular operation.
- Leaving operating supplies in a patient: Surgeons may accidentally leave a surgical tool, gauze, or a sponge inside of a patient. This could result in infections and other complications.
- Severe muscle or nerve damage near the incision site: A surgeon may accidentally cause injury near where they’re operating.
The mistakes above could alter your life or the life of a family member irretrievably. Under normal circumstances and with competent medical providers, they should not happen. Unfortunately, negligent mistakes are made and patients suffer. A Lerner and Rowe Illinois surgical errors attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Why Surgical Errors Happens
There are a number of reasons why surgical mistakes happen. If they occur because of incompetence or negligence, then you deserve restitution. Some reasons for errors made during an operation include:
- Poor communication: Miscommunication regarding a patient’s medical history/details about the procedure can lead to lethal mistakes.
- Incorrect procedures followed: Shortcuts should never be made when it comes to surgery. However, some medical professionals skip steps in order to save time. This can lead to additional complications.
- Poor planning: Failure to give a patient the correct preoperative instructions (such as abstaining from fluids and food prior to operation) can lead to complications during surgery.
- Fatigue: Medical professionals may be sleep deprived or overworked because of poor scheduling, which can impede their performance in the operating room.
- Impaired medical staff: Members of the surgical team may be working under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which can diminish their performance.
- Incompetence: Inadequate training or insufficient experience may result in a surgeon’s inability to accurately and safely perform an operation.
Making an error during a delicate procedure like surgery for any of the reasons above is simply inexcusable. Patients are extremely vulnerable during operations, putting their health and lives in the hands of medical professionals. Failing to live up to the proper standard of care is medical malpractice that could permanently alter someone’s health or end their life. If you have been a victim of this type of medical malpractice then don’t delay. Connect with a Lerner and Rowe Illinois surgical errors attorney immediately.
Contact an Illinois Surgical Errors Attorney
The lawyers at Lerner and Rowe are ready to serve you. Our team will listen to your situation with care. Next, our attorneys will meticulously go through the details of your evidence and work with our expert medical partners in order to present the best case possible. Finally, a Lerner and Rowe Illinois surgical errors attorney will battle intensely to earn you the highest possible settlement.
You can stop by the Chicago office of Lerner and Rowe for a free consultation with an Illinois surgical errors attorney Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. You can also contact us by phone at 708-222-2222 and online through our convenient LiveChat and form features. We are here to help 24/7!