Surgical errors turned costly for patient

Going under the knife can be scary for any patient. Advancements from technology and research have made many surgical procedures less risky and have created shorter recovery times. No matter the simplicity of a surgical procedure, human error can often be a Louisiana patient’s greatest risk. Recently, in another state, surgical errors were the cause of a female patient’s unplanned emergency surgery and expensive medical bills.

While undergoing a bilateral tubal ligation, a female patient alleges that her surgeon damaged part of her small intestine. The lawsuit also claims the surgeon was negligent in checking all of her systems to make sure they were in working order prior to completing her ligation. Later, as the patient attempted to recover from what she likely thought was a simple surgery, she suffered complications due to leakage of bowel into her abdominal cavity, making her very sick. The complications resulted in emergency surgery to repair her bowel, which significantly increased her medical bills and recovery time.

The lawsuit also names the hospital as a defendant. The patient and her lawyers claim that the hospital did not provide knowledgeable staff and nurses during and after the procedure. The patient and her lawyers speculate that some or all of her complications may have been prevented if competent nursing staff had been present to alert the surgeon to problems with the procedure and her post operative recovery.

Suffering complications from surgical errors not only can bring about unexpected medical bills, but they can also increase the time needed to heal. Prolonged absence from work and normal daily activities can lead to loss of wages, creating unnecessary financial and emotional stress. Patients in Louisiana who have suffered complications after surgery can benefit from speaking to a medical malpractice attorney about their options for a lawsuit in civil court and potential compensation to help with financial loss. Experienced attorneys are able investigate each potential case and evaluate whether all medical policies and best practices were followed for patients.

Source: madisonrecord.com, “Memorial Hospital, doctor accused of negligence“, Michael Abella, Nov. 11, 2016