Pope & Howard, PC

Common Surgical Errors in Medical Malpractice Cases

Contact Pope & Howard, a Top-Rated Medical Malpractice Law Firm in Atlanta, Georgia, About Your Surgical Error Case.

While most medical professionals and surgeons are skilled, careful and attentive, it’s the unfortunate truth that some surgeries and procedures don’t always go as planned. It’s important to be aware of common surgical errors so that you understand your rights and if you are entitled to just compensation following a procedure.

Pope & Howard, P.C. is one of the leading medical malpractice law firms in Atlanta, Georgia. This experienced legal team is here to help those in the metro Atlanta area who have been put in a horrible situation at the hands of medical professionals.

Read below for more details about common surgical errors and how to get help today.

Medical Negligence Due to Anesthesia and Foreign Objects

One of the most common mistakes that can be made in surgery revolves around anesthesia.

  • If too little anesthesia is administered, the patient could possibly wake up and feel serious pain during a procedure.
  • If the patient is given too much anesthesia, the result can be long-term brain damage.

In a worst-case scenario, anesthesia misuse can even end in death.

Surgeons may also mistakenly leave tools and other foreign objects in the body of a patient, including scalpels, gauze, clamps and more. The presence of these materials in the body may lead to infection, pain and sometimes death. Diligent medical teams have protocols in place to ensure this doesn’t happen.

If you or a loved one experienced these surgical errors issues during surgery, you may have a medical malpractice case.

Surgery on the Wrong Side — or the Wrong Patient

Cases often happen where surgery is performed on the wrong side of the patient, or worse: the wrong patient entirely. For example, the patient may need his right leg amputated, but the left is removed instead. Not only does this error not solve the initial medical issue, but it creates a whole slew of new medical and legal issues for the patient.

Some surgeons may also mistakenly perform the wrong procedure on a patient; for example, a patient has a healthy kidney removed instead of a diseased one or undergoes major surgery when he or she arrived for a small, simple procedure.

These types of oversights can turn into a legal and life-changing nightmare for many patients, and Pope & Howard’s legal team is here to help. If you experienced the abovementioned scenarios, definitely get a lawyer involved who understand medical malpractice and can help you receive just compensation.

Nerve Damage is a Common Consequence of Surgical Mishaps

Even surgical errors that do not end in death demand legal action. Nerve damage is one of the most common complications due to the delicate nature of surgery. One wrong incision or slip of the hand may result in permanent nerve damage, leading to chronic pain, disability or even infection.

Other Causes of Medical Practice

Remember that a surgical error always goes back to the surgeon. If a surgeon fails to read up on a patient’s medical history, provides an incorrect prescription or prescribes a medication the patient is allergic to, you may have a medical malpractice case and should contact Pope & Howard in Atlanta to discuss your situation.

Call Pope & Howard About Your Surgical Error or Medical Malpractice Case

Medical malpractice cases are extremely complicated. In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one are involved in a surgery without a 100% successful outcome, you want the right team on your side.

The laws involved in a medical malpractice case vary by state, but the team at Pope & Howard fully understands Georgia’s laws and wants to help you get just compensation for injuries or the death of a loved one.

Simply fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 866-910-0642 or 404-885-9999 to set up your free consultation today.

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