Negligent mistakes during surgery can result in untold anguish. Depending on the extent of harm or damage caused, life may never be the same again. Quite often, patients end up with life-changing injuries, permanent conditions, or even die after surgery has gone wrong.
If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to negligence by a surgeon or healthcare provider, here is what you should know.
When can surgical malpractice happen?
Surgical malpractice can happen before, during or after the surgery. For example, a patient file mix-up can lead to an operation on the wrong individual. Similarly, a surgeon may injure or damage a nerve during the surgery or forget surgical instruments inside the patient. Postoperative infections could also develop after an operation due to a lack of proper aftercare.
Holding the negligent party accountable
When you are wheeled into the theater for surgery, you are essentially placing your life in the hands of the operating team. The surgeon and other medical professionals involved owe you a duty of care as their patient.
Therefore, you might be able to bring a medical malpractice claim against a healthcare provider if their negligence led to your injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for the damages you suffered, such as the additional hospital bills incurred, disfigurement, lost wages, as well as the pain and suffering you endured.
Proving your medical malpractice claim
Proving surgical malpractice can get complicated since the medical field is complex and diverse. In addition, the surgeon or healthcare provider is likely to try to justify their actions to get off the hook. As such, it is necessary to seek help on how best to proceed with your claim and what you need for a successful outcome.
