Surgical Errors

A surgical error is a mistake during a medical operation that could have been prevented. Unfortunately, mistakes happen not only during complex surgeries, but also routine procedures. If the mistakes are the result of carelessness or negligence, it can be a case of medical malpractice.

There are several types of potential errors related to surgery, including:

• Performing the wrong operation
• Operating on the wrong body part
• Giving the patient too much or too little anesthesia
• Leaving a piece of surgical equipment inside a patient, like a sponge
• Causing nerve damage

Surgical errors can create long-term health complications for the patient. Sometimes additional surgery or treatment is necessary to correct the mistake. Other times, the side effects of the error will lead to a chronic or permanent condition. Facing this kind of life-changing situation can be very difficult for the patient and his or her family. If you have questions about a suspected surgical error, talk to our attorneys who have the specialized knowledge and skill necessary to advocate for you.