Undergoing surgery can be a stressful experience, even when everything goes according to plan. We trust medical professionals with our lives, assuming that every precaution will be taken to ensure our safety and well-being. Unfortunately, surgical errors, though rare, can and do occur, sometimes with devastating consequences. For residents of Maryland and Washington D.C. who are considering or have undergone surgery, understanding the potential for these errors—and knowing your rights—is crucial.
Before the Incision: Pre-Operative Mistakes
The journey to a successful surgery begins long before you enter the operating room. Many critical steps are taken to prepare both you and the medical team. Errors at this stage can set the stage for complications later on.
Common pre-operative mistakes include:
Incorrect Diagnosis: A wrong or delayed diagnosis can lead to unnecessary surgery or, worse, a delay in treating the actual condition, allowing it to worsen.
Medication Errors: Administering the wrong medication, the wrong dosage, or failing to check for crucial allergies can have serious repercussions, from adverse drug reactions to complications during anesthesia.
Improper Pre-Operative Planning: This can involve inadequate patient assessment, failure to obtain a complete medical history, or not properly communicating with the patient about the risks and benefits of the procedure.
Operating on the Wrong Patient or Body Part: While seemingly unbelievable, these errors can occur due to misidentification or insufficient checks, leading to unnecessary surgery for one patient and a missed opportunity for the intended patient.
In the Operating Room: During-Surgery Complications
The operating room is a highly controlled environment, but even here, human error and negligence can lead to significant harm.
Potential errors during surgery include:
Anesthesia Errors: Too much or too little anesthesia, failure to monitor vital signs, or complications arising from interactions with other medications can lead to brain damage, cardiac arrest, or even death.
Nerve Damage: Delicate nerves can be inadvertently cut, stretched, or compressed during surgery, resulting in chronic pain, numbness, or loss of function.
Tool Retention: Sponges, instruments, or other foreign objects can be mistakenly left inside a patient, leading to infection, pain, and the need for further surgery.
Organ or Tissue Perforation: Accidental damage to nearby organs or tissues can cause internal bleeding, infection, and other life-threatening conditions.
Infections: While some post-surgical infections are unavoidable, others can result from improper sterilization techniques or a lack of adherence to sterile protocols.
After the Procedure: Post-Operative Negligence
A successful surgery requires diligent care even after the patient leaves the operating room. The post-operative period is critical for recovery and monitoring.
Common post-operative errors include:
Failure to Monitor: Inadequate monitoring of vital signs, fluid balance, or signs of infection can delay the detection of serious complications.
Inadequate Wound Care: Improper dressing changes or insufficient attention to surgical sites can lead to infections or delayed healing.
Discharge Errors: Discharging a patient too early, without proper instructions for at-home care, or without arranging necessary follow-up appointments can jeopardize their recovery.
Medication Management: Errors in post-operative pain management, antibiotic prescriptions, or other crucial medications can hinder recovery or cause new problems.
Failure to Address Complications: Ignoring or mismanaging post-surgical complications like bleeding, fever, or signs of deep vein thrombosis can have severe and lasting effects.
Seeking Justice and Support
If you or a loved one in Maryland or Washington D.C. has suffered due to a surgical error, it's natural to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do next. You don't have to navigate this challenging time alone. Understanding your legal options is the first step toward seeking justice and recovering damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
Fay Law Group, P.A. is here to help. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and are here to offer trustworthy, professional, and supportive guidance. If you suspect you've been a victim of surgical negligence, reach out to us today. Our experienced team is dedicated to advocating for those harmed by medical errors.
Contact us for a confidential consultation at (202) 589-1300 to discuss your situation and learn how we can help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.