Every surgery comes with potential risks. Patients are usually informed by their doctors of what those risks may be. But as prepared as you may be for the risks involved in surgery, few patients are prepared to cope with the fall out of a surgical error.
When a person undergoes surgery they rely on and trust that the surgeons and medical team are experienced and competent enough to perform a surgery without causing further injury or illness from surgical errors.
The reality, however, is that surgical errors are more common than many people think.
This type of medical negligence can lead to someone becoming seriously ill or injured. In the worst case scenario, a surgical error can even result in death.
Overview of Medical Negligence
Every year, thousands of people in the United States are injured or become ill because of medical negligence. Medical negligence is the result of a surgeon or other medical staff members failing to exercise the proper care and skill in preventing injury or illness to a patient.
Medical negligence can be the result of any number of factors including:
- Poor training;
- Miscommunication;
- Inattention to detail;
- A doctor, nurse or surgical team member being overworked;
- Stress;
- Medical professionals who are too fatigued to perform their duties at the time of surgery; and/or
- Too many doctors involved in a patient’s care.
If you or someone you love has been injured because of medical malpractice in Chicago, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Contact an Aurora medical malpractice lawyer to learn more about your rights.
Surgical Errors as a Result of Poor Planning
Poor planning before a procedure can result in a surgical error. Before any patient undergoes surgery, a doctor should thoroughly evaluate the following on a patient:
- Medical history;
- Current health status;
- Medications they are on;
- Lifestyle (use of alcohol, smoking, etc.); and
- Family’s health history.
If a patient is undergoing reconstructive surgery, a doctor should plan ahead of time by discussing a patient’s goals and what they hope to achieve through the surgery.
Surgical errors can lead to a serious injury or illness. While surgical errors can occur with any type of surgery, there are some procedures that are especially likely to involve instances of medical malpractice. Listed below are the most common surgeries that can result in medical malpractice:
- Gastric bypass;
- Bariatric;
- Laparoscopic procedures;
- Plastic/cosmetic surgery;
- Angioplasty;
- Appendectomy;
- Endoscopy;
- Gallbladder;
- Repair to hernia;
- Colonoscopy;
- Back;
- Neck;
- Spinal;
- Aortic dissection;
- Kidney;
- Breast;
- Cataract;
- Lasik;
- Heart bypass;
- Replacement of aortic valve;
- Cholecystectomy;
- Dilation/Curettage; and
- Ear, nose and throat.
Every surgery carries its own share of risks. However there is a difference between inherent risks and surgical errors. Injuries that are a result of medical negligence or surgical errors may be considered medical malpractice.If you or someone you love has undergone surgery and it has resulted in an injury or illness, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Contact a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer who will work on your behalf to help you recover any damages that you may be entitled to because of a doctor or hospital’s medical negligence.
Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer
At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys will examine all aspects of your claim, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you or your loved one for any injuries or loss of life due to medical malpractice. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
