Protecting Victims Of Surgical Errors
Surgeries are frightening for most patients. The patient is literally putting his or her life in the hands of others. When things go wrong, the only way to hold surgeons, nurses and/or doctors responsible is to prove that they failed to use the proper standard of medical care, that they caused the patient's injuries and that the injuries caused the patient to suffer.
The medical malpractice lawyers of Crandall & Pera Law have years of experience helping surgical injury victims. We review each aspect of the case, negotiate fair settlements when reasonable, and try cases for juries when necessary to obtain a just recovery. Our attorneys have obtained millions of dollars in jury verdicts and settlements.
How Surgeries Can Go Wrong
At Crandall & Pera Law, we handle complex cases that involve incompetence or negligence. We routinely handle cases involving:
- Lack of competence. For example, a first-time surgical procedure should be guided by a more experienced doctor. Certain doctors should not be doing surgeries because they do not have the skills or the experience.
- Poor preoperative planning. Pre-surgery planning includes reviewing the surgery risks with the patient and making sure the patient is informed. Patients should be advised about diet restrictions and fasting requirements prior to surgery.
- Taking unnecessary shortcuts. Doctors should not take shortcuts unless they are certain it will be better for the patient.
- Lack of communication. Doctors need to be working on the right part of the anatomy, using the right tools, and administering the right doses of medication.
- Fatigue. Some doctors, especially emergency room doctors, are known to work long shifts. A long work schedule is no excuse for medical error.
- Inebriation or being under the influence of drugs. Doctors who are intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics should never be allowed in an operating room.
- Post-surgery review. After surgery, patients are especially vulnerable to infection and complications. The doctor should directly, or through appointed staff members, check the patient's vital statistics on a continual basis.
Types Of Surgical Errors
Many things can go wrong in the operating room. Here are some of the more common:
- Improper handling of anesthesia
- Leaving surgical equipment or sponges inside the patient
- Mistakes that cause the doctor to cut or damage a nearby body part such as an artery, an organ, a ligament, a tissue, a nerve or the intestine
- Improper sterilization of equipment or improper staff sterilization techniques/processes
- Operating on the wrong patient
- Operating on the wrong part of the anatomy, causing damage to healthy organs or the removal of the wrong limb or body part
Fighting For Patients Who Wrongfully Lose A Limb
Losing an arm, leg, hand or foot is a catastrophic event. There is no legitimate reason why the wrong body part should be amputated. Our experienced lawyers work with nurses and doctors to review the medical history of each case and hold medical care providers accountable for their negligence.
Our Hard-Hitting Lawyers Take Surgical Errors To Court
Patients should wake from surgeries feeling better than before the surgery began. When surgeries create unexpected pain or cause damage that was not anticipated, the patient may have a medical malpractice claim against all responsible health care providers.
A dedicated surgical error attorney at Crandall & Pera Law can help. With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chagrin Falls, Chesterland and Lexington, we are here when you need us. Please call 855-444-6651 or complete our contact form to set up time to share what happened.