Nobody expects that they will sustain an injury caused by the careless or negligent actions of a medical professional. This is particularly true for those who have to undergo any type of surgery. Unfortunately, surgical errors do occur, and they can result in devastating injuries for patients. At Kurzban, Kurzban, Tetzeli and Pratt, P.A. we are here when you need a Hawaii surgical errors attorney by your side. We have extensive experience handling complex medical malpractice claims, and we have the resources to see your case all the way through to trial if necessary. Let us help you secure the compensation you need today.

Surgical errors in Hawaii can have a devastating impact

In the United States, we can see that medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins. The data indicate that preventable medical errors claim as many as 250,000 lives each year. However, out of all the medical errors that can occur, perhaps nothing evokes more fear than a surgical mistake.

We want to make it clear that every surgical procedure involves risks. That is not a surprise to anybody. However, every single surgical patient in Hawaii should be able to count on their surgical team to provide an adequate standard of medical care.

When we are discussing surgical errors, the first thing that comes to mind is mistakes called “never events.” This refers to mistakes that should absolutely never occur during surgery, and can include the following:

  • Operating on the wrong body part
  • Performing an incorrect procedure
  • Operating on the wrong person
  • Leaving surgical objects inside of a person after a procedure is finished
  • Anesthesia mistakes
  • Removing the incorrect organ from a body training surgery

Never events trigger mandatory reporting requirements in Hawaii, so we have a fairly clear idea of when these occur. However, not all surgical mistakes have to be reported. Less “minor” surgical mistakes occur regularly, but they do not have to be reported. These mistakes often fly under the radar.

For example, if a surgeon accidentally slices through an artery or another organ while they are operating, but they “fix” it, this is not something that needs to be reported. However, it could cause significant complications for the patient. Another example of a non-reportable surgical mistake would be the surgeon or a member of the surgical team failing to follow proper infection control procedures, thereby exposing the patient to infection.

Surgical mistakes can lead to significant complications for a patient. This can include temporary injuries, permanent injuries, and even death. Patients who do survive a surgical mistake are often left suffering from a range of consequences, including the following:

  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Massive blood loss
  • Nerve damage
  • Blood clots
  • Paralysis
  • Impaired mobility
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal organ failure

Call our Hawaii surgical errors attorney today

If you or somebody you care about has sustained a surgical injury caused by the negligent actions of a medical provider in Hawaii, turn to the team at Kurzban, Kurzban, Tetzeli and Pratt, P.A. for help with your case today. Our attorneys have extensive resources and legal expertise, and we are ready to help you get through this. Our goal is to help make sure that you have compensation for your ongoing medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering losses, and more. When you need a Hawaii surgical errors attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 808-736-5035.