Surgical Errors Affect Millions Each Year

Medical errors are much more common than the average person thinks, with some studies reporting as many as 400,000 patients per year experiencing some type of harm as a result of a medical professional’s mistake. Surgical errors can be some of the most costly in time and suffering – and if you have experienced problems with a recent surgery, it may be time to discuss the issue with a knowledgeable attorney, so you have a chance to recover the expenses of such an ordeal.

The Birmingham medical malpractice attorneys at Goldasich, Vick & Fulk have experience helping victims of medical negligence and malpractice. Finding a doctor or hospital liable is not easy, but if the right evidence is there, you have the chance to recover for the harm you have suffered.

Not Just A Mistake

The legal definition of a surgical error may differ from the medical definition, but in Alabama law, a surgical error may be cause for a lawsuit if it happened due to negligence. In other words, if a doctor knew or should have known that their conduct was reckless or just not up to the standard of other Alabama doctors, an injured plaintiff might have cause to file a malpractice suit.

There are many different kinds of surgical errors. The average person might think of something like operating on the wrong leg, but in reality, any error that causes harm to the patient – where there was no other intervening cause for the harm – counts for legal purposes. Some other examples of surgical errors may include:

• Performing the wrong procedure – for example, an appendectomy instead of an oophorectomy (removing an ovary);
• Leaving surgical instruments inside a patient; and
• Improperly sterilizing surgical instruments, leading to infections and diseases.

Know Your Defendants

If you have decided to file suit against the defendant or defendants you believe were responsible for your injuries, there are several factors that can make or break such a suit. These little details are a big reason why many injured plaintiffs enlist attorneys to handle their case – rightly or wrongly, medical facilities and their staff are often difficult to hold liable, but the right legal help working for you can help to even the odds.

One common example is that many are unsure exactly who may be the right defendant. If you believe you have been the victim of a surgical error, be aware that it may not only be the surgeon who should bear a share of the liability for it. All healthcare professionals in Alabama must act in the same way as any “similarly situated healthcare provider in the general line of practice” – which includes other healthcare professionals such as nurses, anesthesiologists, or may even include the hospital itself.

We Stand Up For Your Rights

Being the victim of a surgical error can be both physically and emotionally taxing, and in the worst case, it may permanently damage your health. You do not have to go through the process of seeking accountability alone – the Birmingham surgical error attorneys from Goldasich, Vick & Fulk are ready and willing to try to help you with your case. Call us today at (205) 731-2566 to schedule a consultation.

Source:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499956/