For most people, undergoing a surgical procedure is one of the scariest experiences of their lives. The risks that go along with surgery can be few to numerous, depending on many other factors regarding the patient’s overall health, the type of procedure, the surgeon’s experience/competency, and so on. Even with all of these concerns, there is another issue that can arise; surgical error.
If you or a loved one has suffered some type of mistake from a medical procedure, it is probably time that you looked into surgical malpractice attorneys. There are a number of questions that you will have regarding what happened to you and what you may be qualified for. There will also be a number of questions the lawyers will have for you to determine if your case qualifies.
To help you understand a few of the ins and outs of these types of cases, continue reading the article below:
What Is Considered Medical/Surgical Malpractice?
Surgical malpractice is when a patient is harmed in the process of or recovery from surgery due directly to the negligence of the medical staff. Although it is usually the surgeon handling the operation, it can also be an assistant surgeon, a member of the nursing staff, or anyone else involved in the procedure, such as the anesthesiologist.
Common Types of Malpractice Cases
There are several different kinds of surgical errors that could take place. Not only is this because there are thousands of procedures, but each surgery itself is also always different. No two problems are ever exactly the same, just as no two patients are ever exactly the same.
That means that every surgery comes with unique risks and varying chances of success and failure. A few examples of malpractice cases can include:
- Cardiac/heart malpractice
- Anesthesia errors
- Gastric bypass malpractice
- Neurosurgical errors
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy errors
- Surgical injuries
- Orthopedic malpractice
Possible Causes of Malpractice or Surgical Error
Surgical Malpractice Attorneys know how to spot the indicators of medical error. This is an important skill as there are several different reasons that a mistake may have been made during surgery. These can include (but are not limited to):
- Incompetence
- Drugs/Alcohol
- Fatigue
- Neglect
- Poor communication
There are other possible causes of medical error during any procedure. It is important that you share every detail you can recall with your lawyers.
Why Partnering with the Highest Quality Surgical Malpractice Attorneys Is Critical
Even if you have a great case for surgical malpractice, it is only as strong as the legal experts representing it for you. You need to make sure that the firm that looks out for your interests has the experience, know-how, and perhaps a specialist that handles your type of case.
Many times these things can be settled through negotiation. However, if the opposing legal team and insurance companies won’t budge and you have to go to court, you want lawyers well-versed in that arena as well.
