Ohio Surgical Malpractice Lawyers
When negligence during surgery results in the severe illness or wrongful death of a patient, the surgeon or other medical professional can be held accountable. At Jeffries, Kube, Forrest & Monteleone Co. L.P.A., we help families find answers and seek closure following a surgical error that causes serious injury or wrongful death.
Contact our surgical mistake claim attorneys to discuss your medical malpractice claim.
Medical Negligence in the Operating Room
The vulnerability of surgery patients is protected by surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other health professionals. The patent has entrusted their care and their life to these medical professionals. Therefore, these professionals are liable for injury or death that is caused by their negligence. Surgical errors may include:
- Causing other damage: It is not uncommon for a doctor to unintentionally cut other areas of the human body, such as the ureter, arteries, veins, intestines, or other areas with sudden scalpel slips. However, negligence may occur when the surgeon fails to realize and repair the damage before completing the surgery. This could result in a patient having septic bowel, urine leakage in the body, internal bleeding, or other serious conditions.
- Failure to remove foreign objects: There are several surgical instruments, sponges, gauze, and other tools surrounding the body during surgery. Improper technique, failure to perform an x-ray, or improper observation can result in the surgical incision being closed before all foreign objects are removed from the site. A patient may go months or even years with pain, infection, or other health problems without recognizing the true problem.
- Improper or unnecessary surgery: While medical technology and diligence usually prevent surgeons from performing the wrong surgery, occasionally the incorrect surgery is performed, such as amputating the left leg instead of the right leg. Or, a doctor may misdiagnose breast cancer, resulting in an unnecessary mastectomy.
- Failure to treat conditions: Doctors are responsible for reviewing medical records and assessing needs during surgery. For example, a patient with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) may need blood thinners during surgery to avoid a pulmonary embolism (blood clot).
- Failure to advise of risks: While necessary surgical procedures cannot be avoided, elective surgery should be carefully considered. Doctors are responsible for assessing a patient's health to determine if they are physically capable for the surgery. Without careful consideration, an unfit patient may not survive the surgery or the rehabilitation.
- Surgical complications: Surgical errors or improper care following a fracture can cause excessive swelling and circulation blockage known as compartment syndrome. This can result in foot drop, paralysis of the hand, amputation, or other nerve damage. We handle other surgical complications involving anesthesia errors, over-sedation, post-surgical infections, airway obstructions, and other complications.
Patient goes to hospital for hernia repair. His medical chart and wrist band warned of his allergies to various drugs. The nurse forgets to tell the doctor that this drug is in the operating room. The doctor gives the drug to the patient at the end of surgery and the patient’s heart stops. He gets no oxygen to his brain for fifteen minutes, and is now in a nursing home under twenty-four hour care.
Surgical Errors and Medical Negligence Claims in Cleveland
If you or a loved one has been a victim of surgical negligence, our medical malpractice lawyers can help you uncover negligence that may have occurred and pursue medical malpractice claims to hold all negligent parties accountable. Contact our surgical error claims attorneys today.
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