Surgical procedures are intended to improve a patient's health and well-being. However, sometimes things go wrong, and surgical errors can occur. These errors can have life-altering consequences, leaving patients with additional pain, suffering, and potentially permanent disabilities.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a surgical error in Newport News, Virginia, or the surrounding areas, Coletrane & Messersmith is here to help. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys understand the complexities of surgical error cases and are dedicated to fighting for the compensation you deserve.
What is a Surgical Error?
A surgical error is any mistake made by a healthcare professional during a surgical procedure or its related care. These errors can happen before, during, or after surgery and can involve:
- Operating on the wrong body part or side
- Leaving surgical instruments or foreign objects inside the patient
- Performing the wrong surgery altogether
- Anesthesia errors, such as administering the wrong medication or dosage
- Surgical site infections due to improper sterilization
- Errors in medication dosage or administration
Types of Surgical Errors
With the many different types of surgeries one can be a patient in, categorizing surgical errors can become difficult. Because of this, surgical errors are broadly categorized into three main areas.
Technical Errors
Technical errors involve mistakes made by the surgeon during the operation itself, such as accidentally nicking an organ or performing an incorrect surgical procedure. These errors can be particularly devastating because they represent a breach of the trust placed in a surgeon's skill and expertise.
Judgment Errors
These occur when the surgeon makes a poor decision, such as failing to order necessary pre-operative tests or continuing surgery despite complications. These judgment errors can have serious consequences, as a surgeon's ability to make sound decisions directly impacts patient safety and outcomes.
Communication Errors
Miscommunication between surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals can lead to errors in medication, dosage, or even the planned procedure itself. These kinds of errors can happen in a matter of seconds but the events may be felt for the rest of a patient’s life.
The Impact of Surgical Errors
Surgical errors can have a devastating impact on patients' lives. From prolonged hospital stays affecting a person’s employment to lifelong chronic pain, the results can be terrible. They can lead to:
- Additional pain and suffering
- Increased risk of infection
- Need for additional surgeries
- Permanent disability
- Psychological trauma
- Increased medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Wrongful death
How Can an Attorney Help?
If you suspect you or a loved one has been the victim of a surgical error, it is crucial to seek legal counsel from an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Coletrane & Messersmith can help you understand your rights and explore potential legal options.
Our team will investigate your case thoroughly, gathering medical records, consulting medical experts, and interviewing witnesses to determine the cause of your injury. We will work with medical professionals to establish whether the standard of care was breached and if this breach directly caused your injury. From there we will negotiate a settlement on your behalf, or represent you in court, if no other course of action will do.
Contact Coletrane & Messersmith Today
If you have suffered an injury due to a surgical error in Newport News, Virginia, or the surrounding areas, contact Coletrane & Messersmith today for a free consultation. We will review your case and answer your questions. You don't have to face this alone. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve.
