Cleveland Surgical Error Lawyer

Surgical Error Lawyer Cleveland OH

No matter how minor a surgical procedure is, there is always some sort of risk that is involved. A patient in Ohio or anywhere in the country who is undergoing a surgical procedure is often concerned about the safety of that procedure and its effect on their health given that complications can and do occur, even if a procedure is performed correctly. Unfortunately, the risk of complications and long-lasting injuries becomes much more likely when mistakes are made by surgeons, nurses, or other medical professionals during the surgery. Even what appears to be a surgery that should be minimally invasive, there is always a risk that the patient can end up with a serious injury or even die. In these tragic cases, a surgical error lawyer Cleveland OH clients trust can help families get financial justice for their loved one’s death.

In some of these cases, there is no way to avoid the patient’s death. They may have some unknown medical condition that caused the complication responsible for the death or maybe they had a reaction to the anesthesia. These are examples of causes that are beyond the control of medical professionals. However, there are far too many cases where the patient’s death is a result of negligence on the part of the surgeon or other medical professionals involved in the patient’s care. These cases are legally considered medical malpractice and victims and their families may be entitled to financial compensation for the damages they have suffered as a result of that negligence.

Medical Malpractice or Fate?

A medical malpractice lawsuit is a personal injury claim that is filed against a medical professional and/or medical facility because there was negligence that resulted in the harm or death of a patient. In order to determine whether or not malpractice exists in a case, the courts will look to see if the negligent conduct violated the medical standard of care that a reasonable surgeon or other medical professional with similar background and qualifications would have performed under similar circumstances.

There are a variety of factors that can result in a surgical error. The surgeon or a nurse may not adhere to the right surgical procedures, either while preparing for the surgery or while performing it. They may make an error during the surgery that harms the patient. At our firm, each Cleveland, OH surgical error lawyer has successfully represented many victims harmed by a surgical error made by a medical professional. Some of the more common mistakes we see include:

• Anesthesia errors: Many procedures require the use of general anesthesia that puts the patient asleep or in a state where they are unaware of what is going on or local anesthesia that is used to numb and prevent pain in the area being operated on. A patient can suffer serious injuries if there is an error in the administrating of the anesthesia, including not monitoring the patient for signs of an allergic reaction or not monitoring the patient’s vital signs for signs of distress. If the patient is given too much anesthesia, this can restrict the flow of oxygen to the brain, resulting in permanent brain damage or death.
• Leaving foreign objects in the patient: Another common surgical error a surgical error lawyer in Cleveland, OH sees is when surgical tools or objects (such as sponges) are left behind in the patient after the surgery. Patients can suffer severe infections and excruciating pain from this error and can even die if there is not a correct diagnosis. This happens when the surgical team fails to account for all of the tools and supplies used during the procedure.
• Operating on the wrong patient: Again, something that seems almost ludicrous is actually a daily occurrence in hospitals all over the country, when the surgeon operates on the wrong patient. This can occur because of switched charts, clerical errors, and failure to follow proper patient protocols.
• Performing the procedure on the wrong body part: You may think this would be a rare occurrence, but it is, unfortunately, one of the most common surgical errors that occur. If the surgeon or other medical staff fail to take the time to verify all of the details for a procedure before that procedure takes place, an unnecessary surgery on the incorrect part of the body of the patient can and does occur. Not only does this cause injury to the patient, but it also means the patient’s original condition that they need surgery for is not taken care of. This leaves the patient at double risk of harm. An example of this type of surgical error includes operating on the right shoulder when it is the left shoulder that should have been operated on.

Other types of common surgical errors that a Cleveland OH surgical error lawyer can pursue damages on behalf of the victim are when a surgeon performs a procedure that wasn’t necessary, slices or cuts into an artery or vein, using surgical techniques or procedures that are considered too risky, or failure to monitor the patient for any complications, such as difficulty breathing, excessive bleeding, or infection.

Have You Lost a Loved One Because of Medical Negligence?

Surgeons and other medical professionals have a legal obligation to provide reasonably competent medical care to their patients. If your loved one died during surgery or from complications following the procedure and you suspect that medical negligence was to blame, contact Mishkind Kulwicki Law Co., L.P.A. Call our office today and schedule a free and confidential consultation with a skilled Cleveland OH surgical error lawyer and find out how we can help your family get the financial compensation your family deserves. While no amount of money will ever replace your loved one, it can provide financial relief for the losses your family is dealing with, including the medical bills to treat your loved one, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of their income and work benefits.