(203) 333-3339 Surgical Error Attorney in Connecticut
Even with the best training, surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other healthcare providers who assist with surgery can make mistakes. Surgical errors are a common, often preventable, source of injury that can leave patients worse off than they were before the operation. In cases like these, the surgeon, the hospital, and others may be responsible for your injuries caused by medical malpractice.
If you have suffered serious and permanent injuries because of a negligent surgical error, the experienced lawyers at Wocl Leydon are ready to help. In a surgical error case, we investigate the error, ensure the statute of limitations, develop the case, negotiate a settlement, and take the case to court if needed.
Our work has been recognized by Connecticut Super Lawyers®, New England Super Lawyers®, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and many other leading publications. With decades of experience representing clients throughout Connecticut, our medical malpractice lawyers know how to protect our client’s rights and obtain justice for them by way of a settlement or verdict.
At Wocl Leydon Personal Injury Attorneys, we represent those harmed by surgical errors and medical malpractice on a contingency basis, meaning there will be no fees unless we obtain compensation for you. If you have suffered because of a surgical error, contact us today for a free consultation about your case. Call us or contact us online for a free consultation!
Get Your FREE Case Review,
In Person or Virtually Online
Common Surgical Mistakes in Connecticut
It’s an unfortunate fact that even with training and established procedures, medical professionals still make many surgical mistakes. Although hospitals and surgeons can minimize the risks through appropriate procedures and monitoring, errors do happen – and they can result in serious harm to you and those you love.
Some of the most common surgical mistakes include:
- Errors involving anesthesia. Anesthesia is a critical part of the surgery. It allows patients to avoid pain and helps prevent the patient from moving during complex surgeries. The drugs used in anesthesia are potent and must be used carefully. This includes careful planning before the surgery, precise use of drugs during surgery, and careful monitoring of the patient while the drugs are in the patient’s system. When errors involving anesthesia occur, patients may suffer harm, brain damage, and even death.
- Failing to monitor the patient’s condition. Throughout surgery, medical professionals must monitor a patient’s condition constantly. Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, and many other vital signs should be monitored and recorded constantly. When those overseeing a surgery fail to monitor a patient adequately, they may be liable for any harm that occurs.
- Objects and medical implements left in the patient’s body. During an invasive surgery, it’s a common error for surgeons to leave medical tools such as sponges, towels, and even scalpels inside of the patient’s body. Although these tools are essential for surgery, they can cause severe danger to the health and well-being of a patient if they are not removed.
- Surgical medication errors. During surgery, medical professionals may use a wide variety of drugs to assist in the procedure. These may include blood thinners, medicines to control heart rate, and many others. These drugs have powerful effects and overusing or underusing them can lead to patient injury.
- Operating on the wrong site. Unfortunately, it is possible for surgeons to operate on the incorrect site – for example, on the right hip instead of the left. This is an avoidable mistake that can easily be prevented by having the appropriate procedures in place before surgery. Surgery on the wrong site can lead to major consequences for the patient and leave them severely injured.
Causes of Surgical Errors in Connecticut
In most cases, surgical errors are preventable errors. Some of the most common causes of surgical errors include:
- Lack of planning. Even a seemingly minor surgery should involve detailed plans by the surgeons and other medical professionals involved. When they fail to plan or make assumptions about the patient, the result can be harmful to the patient.
- Poor communication before and during the operation. During surgery, it’s essential that everyone communicates their actions and the state of the patient’s health. If they do not, surgical personnel may be unaware of changes in the patient’s condition. Communication errors are preventable errors that often end up harming patients.
- Insufficient training or skill. Surgeons receive years of training before they may oversee procedures. However, medicine is changing all the time and it is up to surgeons to stay up-to-date on new techniques and tools. If a surgeon performs surgery without the proper skill or training they need, they may cause irreparable harm to the patient.
- Sleep deprivation and fatigue. In the medical field, doctors and surgeons have huge demands placed upon them. This is especially true in emergency rooms where doctors are dealing with a constant stream of critically ill patients. Doctors and surgeons develop their ability to work under challenging conditions, but even the best doctors can make mistakes if they go too long without rest.
- Alcohol, drugs, and other narcotics. Surgeons and those overseeing a surgery should never do so while using substances such as drugs and alcohol. Even the slightest impairment can lead to disaster. It is a dangerous violation of medical ethics and professional rules that can jeopardize the health and well-being of the patient.
- Lack of proper surgical sanitation. Surgeries expose patients to a high risk of infection. If the operating room or the surgical tools are not sterilized properly, patients may face life-threatening infections. Proper sterilization and sanitation techniques before surgery can minimize the risks they face.
Experienced Connecticut Surgical Error Lawyers
Surgical errors can leave you with lasting damage and life-threatening injuries. Surgeons and hospitals can avoid many of these injuries by having the proper policies and procedures in place. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
At Wocl Leydon, our knowledgeable lawyers help those who suffer injuries because of surgical errors. We serve clients throughout Connecticut, and no matter how you were harmed, we are prepared to help. In medical malpractice cases, we work on a contingency basis, meaning there will be no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
