Injuries and Wrongful Death Caused by Surgical Errors: Understanding Your Rights
Undergoing any type of surgical procedure can be frightening. While most surgeries are successfully completed without issue, unexpected problems can arise. Sometimes, these problems are unavoidable. Other times, the negligent, careless, or illegal actions of a medical professional caused the problems. If you were hurt or a loved one died due to a surgical error, it is important to understand your rights. You may be entitled to financial compensation for surgical and medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Surgical Mistakes Can Lead to Long-Term Medical Problems
Surgical errors can take many different forms. A surgeon may nick an artery or nerve, causing additional medical issues for the patient. Anesthesiologists may administer too much or too little anesthesia or fail to recognize dangerous drug interactions. Failure to properly monitor the patient for signs of distress during surgery can also lead to dangerous or deadly mistakes.
Some surgical errors are so egregious they are referred to as “never events.” These events should never happen, but they do. Surgeons operating on the wrong body part, performing the wrong surgical procedure, or even leaving surgical instruments in the patient’s body are some examples of these never events.
When a patient is injured due to the negligent or wrongful actions of a surgeon, doctor, anesthesiologist, or another medical professional, the injured person may be entitled to monetary damages. If a surgical patient dies due to substandard medical care, the surviving loved ones may be able to hold the negligent party accountable and seek damages.
Taking Legal Action After a Surgical Mistake
If you or a loved one were the victim of a surgical mistake, contact a medical malpractice attorney for help. To bring a successful medical malpractice claim, you will need to prove that:
- The doctor or other medical professional’s actions violated the medical standard of care.
- The patient’s injuries were caused by the substandard medical care
- The patient suffered damages because of the injuries
Your attorney can investigate the circumstances of the incident and obtain evidence to support your claim. He or she can represent you during settlement negotiations and legal proceedings. Most importantly, your lawyer will be your legal advocate throughout the case and ensure that your rights are protected.
Contact a Texas Surgical Malpractice Lawyer
If you or a loved one were harmed by a surgical mistake, contact the Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec for help. Our team of skilled Houston medical malpractice lawyers can evaluate your situation and help you determine the next steps. Call 281-643-2000 for a free, confidential consultation today.
Source:
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1445439/trcp-all-updated-with-amendments-effective-may-1-2020.pdf
