All surgery procedures, even minor surgeries, can carry risk. Nobody likes hearing that a surgical error happened. But what happens if your surgeon commits a medical malpractice? There are some common errors that may lead to medical malpractice. You must ask your Hawaii medical malpractice attorney to investigate your circumstances and determine whether or not you have a case.
Not all surgical errors constitute medical malpractice. The treatment has to result in harm to the patient and the surgical error must be considered part of a standard of care. So if the error didn’t fall below the standard of care and you didn’t suffer harm, you may not have a medical malpractice case. It’s not always easy for the attorney to find out when the doctor’s treatment was below the standard of care. Some cases can be complex. This is why hiring an experienced Hawaii medical malpractice attorney is often the best course of action.
Common surgical errors and their causes
- Wrong-site surgery
- Incorrect incision
- Leaving surgical equipment inside the patient
- Operating the wrong patient on the wrong body part
- Anesthesia errors
- Damage to the nerves
Every surgery is different therefore the causes are unique. Some of the most common causes of surgical errors include:
- Inexperienced and unskillfulness – Some surgeons lack the skill to perform some procedures.
- Poor pre-op planning – Some surgeons don’t prepare well for surgery. Improper surgical planning can lead to complications. Nurses and assistants need to be prepared as well.
- Taking shortcuts – This means avoiding necessary steps throughout the surgical procedure.
- Failure to communicate properly – Miscommunication can lead to a number of surgical errors. Whether by marking the wrong site or miscommunication about medication, these errors can harm the patient and in some cases it might cost someone’s life.
- Using drugs or alcohol to cope with stressful situations – Although surgeons are under a lot of stress, they should not use these substances to cope. It is very unethical.
- Being neglectful – Surgeons should be careful when performing a surgical procedure and sterilize instruments, use the right surgical equipment, etc.
Why you should talk to a Hawaii medical malpractice attorney
Medical malpractice cases can get complicated. This is why is essential you have a good lawyer on your side guiding you every step of the way. An attorney can build your case and answer any questions you may have.
Do you have case?
It is difficult to determine whether or not you have a case without first consulting a qualified attorney. The most difficult aspect of a malpractice claim is figuring out the adequate standard of care. This is what a capable doctor would have done in a similar situation. These cases require a substantial amount of medical evidence, therefore, you need someone that has gone down that road before. If you are thinking about hiring an experienced catastrophic injury attorney in Hawaii, don’t hesitate to contact medical malpractice attorney Jed Kurzban.