Almost any form of surgery consists of a critical medical procedure that requires the highest level of skill and expertise from healthcare providers. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, however, some surgical errors can have devastating consequences for patients.
These errors are sometimes known as never events. In this article, we will explore what never events are, the causes of these events, and what victims of such errors can do to seek compensation.
What are Never Events?
Never events are defined as serious, preventable adverse events in healthcare that should never occur. In the context of surgery, these events include wrong-site surgery, wrong-patient surgery, and retained foreign objects (such as surgical instruments). These types of errors can result in severe harm to patients, including death, permanent disability, or longer hospital stays.
Causes of Never Events in Surgery
The causes of never events in surgery are often multifactorial and can include a combination of systemic, organizational, and human factors. Some of the most common causes include:
- Communication breakdowns: Lack of effective communication between healthcare providers, patients, and families can lead to never events.
- Poor documentation: Incomplete or incorrect medical records can result in incorrect surgical procedures being performed.
- Inadequate patient identification: Patients are often not properly identified prior to surgery, leading to the wrong patient being operated on.
- Inadequate surgical planning: Improper surgical planning, such as not marking the surgical site, can lead to wrong-site surgery.
- Lack of teamwork and collaboration: Inadequate teamwork and collaboration between healthcare providers can result in miscommunication and errors during surgery.
- Equipment failures: Equipment failures can also contribute to never events in surgery.
How Never Event Victims Can Pursue Compensation
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a never event in surgery, it can be a traumatic and life-altering experience. In addition to the physical harm and emotional distress, victims may also incur significant medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial losses as a result of the never event. If you believe you have been the victim of a never event, it is important to understand your rights and options for seeking compensation.
Steps to take in these circumstances include:
- Seek legal advice: The first step in seeking compensation for a never event is to consult with a medical malpractice attorney. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and determine whether you have a valid claim. In many cases, victims of never events may be eligible for compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
- File a medical malpractice claim: If your attorney determines that you have a valid claim, they will help you file a medical malpractice claim. This involves presenting evidence and arguments to support your claim and seeking compensation from the responsible parties. The process of filing a medical malpractice claim can be complex and time-consuming, so it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side.
- Negotiate a settlement: In many cases, victims of never events are able to reach a settlement with the responsible parties without going to trial. This can be a faster and less expensive alternative to going to court. Your attorney can help you negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement that takes into account all of your losses and expenses.
Honolulu medical malpractice and catastrophic injury attorney Jed Kurzban, Esq. understands that a never event can have a major impact on a victim’s quality of life. He is thus dedicated to pursuing compensation on behalf of those injured as a result of a surgeon’s negligence. For more information, contact our firm online or call us at 808-736-5035.