Any surgery is inherently risky. Operating rooms across Florida perform thousands of procedures, from cosmetic to life-saving, and not all go smoothly. In some cases, surgical errors cause severe injury and death. The Fort Lauderdale surgical error lawyers at the Lisa S. Levine law firm protect patients harmed on the operating table. Patients suffering from a medical procedure mistake that crosses the line to medical malpractice may recover financial damages from the doctor and hospital.
Types of Surgical Errors
Surgical errors range in severity and come in many forms. The most common types of surgical errors include:
- Operating on the wrong body part
- Leaving instruments inside the patient
- Unqualified and poorly trained surgeon
- Substandard care
- Nursing errors
Wrong Body Part
It may sound like a scene from a horror movie, but a surgeon operating on the wrong body part does occur. This type of surgical errors happens every year at hospitals in Florida and around the United States. Surgeries are a team effort of doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, hospitals, clinics and schedulers.
Injury Victim
A lack of communication or missed information can lead to the surgeon cutting on the wrong arm, or even removing the wrong internal organ. Operating on the wrong body part is an egregious example medical malpractice, and surgical errors lawyer Lisa S. Levine recommends legal action.
Leaving Behind Instruments
The closing sequence of surgery requires the doctor and his or her team to count all the surgical instruments used during the procedure. A count check stops the surgeon from accidentally leaving an instrument inside the body of the patient. There have been cases where the surgeon was rushed and skipped this final step. Instruments left behind may introduce infection and new pain to the patient.
Unqualified and Poorly Trained Surgeons
Unqualified and poorly trained surgeons are dangerous. Hospitals that allow dangerous surgeons to work in their operating rooms are equally as negligent and should be held accountable. If a poorly trained surgeon has injured you, contact the law office of Lisa S. Levine.
Substandard Care
Surgeons, like all medical professionals, must act within an acceptable standard of care with regard to medical treatment. A failure to provide this standard of care may be deemed medical negligence if it results in injury to the patient.
Nursing Errors
Hospitals are responsible for negligent actions made by any and all medical personnel involved in your surgery. This includes surgeons, but also nurses. If a nurse issues the wrong dose of medication, provides inadequate monitoring of the patient, fails to notify a doctor of changes before or after a surgery, this could lead to a surgery error malpractice lawsuit.
Answers to Your FAQs About Surgical Errors
In Florida, how long do medical malpractice claims have to be filed before they expire?
The statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice claim in Florida is two years from the date of the injury. You may be barred from filing if you fail to do so within this timeframe.
If I file a medical malpractice lawsuit, what types of damages am I able to recover?
A medical malpractice claim may allow you to recover both economic and non-economic damages. The term economic damage refers to damages with a monetary value, such as medical bills or lost wages. Damages that are non-economic are more subjective, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished enjoyment of life.
Is it possible to sue the hospital for my injuries?
If the hospital was negligent in some way, you may be able to sue them for your injuries. You may be able to sue the hospital if, for example, the hospital failed to screen the doctor before hiring them or failed to maintain proper sanitation standards.
Get Help From A Fort Lauderdale Surgical Errors Lawyer
Consultations with our Fort Lauderdale surgical errors lawyer are free. Your injury should be compensated, and a medical malpractice lawsuit may be the best way to obtain financial recovery. Damages you may recover include medical bills, lost wages, and mental anguish. Call today to speak with our team of medical malpractice attorneys.
