Surgical Negligence Attorney in New York City
Every surgical procedure carries a certain degree of risk. However, when you go in for surgery, you can reasonably expect that your surgeon will be careful. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Surgical errors and complications account for thousands of cases of medical malpractice each year. Many of these incidents occur because of a failure to adhere to the medical standard of care, often crossing into the realm of hospital negligence. If you believe you were injured by a preventable surgical error, please contact Mark L. Bodner, P.C. for a free consultation.
Common Types of Surgical Errors in New York
Surgical errors can occur during the procedure or post-operatively. According to The Joint Commission, standardized safety checklists are essential to preventing “Never Events”—mistakes that should simply never happen in a modern medical facility. These errors can include:
- Delayed corrective surgery
- Leaving surgical instruments or sponges within the body (retained foreign objects)
- Performing the wrong procedure
- Incorrect incisions
- Organ puncture or laceration, such as a perforated bowel or duct injury
- Operating on the wrong body part or patient
- Anesthesia errors
- Surgical error complications
Complications Resulting from Operative Mistakes
Surgical error complications are varied and depend on the mistake that occurred. When a surgeon’s hands or tools deviate from the intended path, the impact is often immediate and devastating. Complications may include:
- Death
- Brain damage
- Paralysis
- Coma
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage
- Cardiovascular problems
- Blood clots
- Post-surgical infections
- Septic shock
- Physical deformity
- Delayed healing
- Bleeding
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Psychological and emotional problems
Post-operative Surgical Complications and Monitoring
Post-operative surgical complications depend on the type of surgery that was performed. In many cases, the injury is compounded by diagnosis errors where medical staff fail to recognize the signs of a failing patient. Post-operative complications can occur immediately after the surgery or weeks/months later. Common post-operative surgical complications include:
- Hemorrhage
- Infection
- Disordered healing
- Pneumonia and other respiratory complications
- Urinary problems including renal failure
- Thromboembolism
- Atrial fibrillation
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Adverse drug events
- Pain
The Long-Term Impact: Life After a Surgical Error
Surgical errors can have a range of outcomes, and often leave a patient with lifelong complications. The victim and their family may have to adapt to a new way of living and wages may be lost. A highly competent team of physicians, nurses, therapists, and counselors may be needed to assist in the victim’s recovery. While some individuals can return to their pre-surgery way of living, others struggle with permanent disability, chronic pain and suffering, and shorter lifespans. In cases of wrongful death where the victim dies, the family is left with the sudden loss of a loved one as well as the loss of financial support, funeral and medical expenses, loss of inheritance, and if children are involved, the loss of nurture and guidance from their deceased parent. A competent medical malpractice lawyer can help you fight for your rights to obtain financial compensation.
Contact an Experienced New York Surgical Error Attorney
Mark L. Bodner, P.C. is an experienced New York medical malpractice law firm who has successfully represented many victims and families who have been forced to deal with the impact of surgical errors. We are familiar with the special issues and complexities that are involved in this area of the law. We draw on extensive experience in medical malpractice to represent clients effectively in and out of the courtroom. If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of a surgical error, contact our firm to discuss your legal matter.