What Are the Top 6 Surgical Errors Due to Medical Negligence?

From tooth extractions to a triple bypass, there are a variety of surgeries available to help patients enjoy longer lives and improve their well-being. Although new technologies have made these procedures safer, all it takes is one mistake by a surgeon or nurse to cause a fatal complication.

According to , medical errors may be the third-leading cause of death in the United States. An estimated 251,000 patients lose their lives every year due to avoidable mistakes.

If you were injured or lost a family member due to a surgical mistake, contact the The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. David A. Bowling is a medical malpractice lawyer in New Orleans who will evaluate your case, answer your questions and determine if you have grounds for a claim.

The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm is an AV-rated law Firm under Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation with a wrongful death attorney in Louisiana.

6 Common Surgical Errors That May Constitute Medical Malpractice

According to the Washington Post, medical errors kill more people than stroke, kidney disease and car accidents. That might sound surprising, but one small oversight during surgery can cause a serious infection, internal injuries and other fatal complications.

There are many reasons why surgical errors happen. Some of the most common contributing factors are:

Fatigue;

Drug or alcohol use by the surgeon;

Failure to track the number of sponges used during an operation;

Poor communication among hospital staff;

Poor planning before the operation; and

Insufficient patient monitoring.

Although surgical malpractice takes many forms, six of the most common examples are:

Leaving a piece of equipment such as a sponge inside a patient;

Damaging a nerve during a procedure;

Administering too much or too little anesthesia before surgery;

Making an incision in the wrong place;

Operating on the wrong body part; and

Performing surgery on the wrong patient.

The effects of surgical malpractice can be devastating. Patients who are lucky enough to survive may lose a healthy limb or organ, suffer permanent cognitive or physical problems, or endure chronic pain.

If your medical team botched your surgery, then you may be entitled to compensation. However, medical malpractice claims are notoriously difficult to win. You will have to show evidence to prove that a doctor-patient relationship existed, that a medical worker was negligence, and that this negligence caused your injury or loss. You must also prove the value of your damages.

This is where a medical malpractice lawyer can help. Your attorney can arrange an independent medical examination, interview the medical team that performed your operation, and arrange expert testimonies to support your claim.

If you were injured by a negligent health-care professional, contact the The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. As your medical malpractice attorney in Louisiana, David A. Bowling will help you recover the maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages and non-economic damages. Call (504) 586-5200 to schedule a consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer in New Orleans.