Undergoing surgery involves immense trust in your surgeon. You expect your surgeon to uphold a high standard of care when you are in the operating room. If they fail to provide proper care or make a mistake during the procedure that negatively affects your health, they may be held liable for medical malpractice. Surgical errors, such as operating on the wrong patient, on the wrong site, damaging internal organs, or leaving a foreign object in the body, could result in life-altering injuries.
If you suffered a surgical error, you may benefit from speaking with the medical malpractice lawyers at Goza & Honnold. We can review the details of your claim and determine whether you have a viable claim. With our decades of experience and track record of successful medical malpractice cases, we understand what it takes to fight for you. We can conduct a comprehensive investigation to obtain evidence of negligence that contributed to your injuries so you may recover the complete compensation you deserve.
5 Ways Surgical Errors Could Lead to Medical Malpractice in Kansas
Various surgical errors could lead to a medical malpractice claim in Kansas, including the following:
1. Operating on the Wrong Site
Operating on the wrong site is a serious surgical error, as it leads to unnecessary incisions, increasing the risk of infection and causing additional scarring. If the surgical mistake is not realized in time, further damage can be done, including unnecessary removal of organs or damage to other body parts.
2. Performing the Wrong Surgery
Due to misdiagnosis or miscommunication, a surgeon may perform the wrong procedure. This can cause unnecessary injury to the patient and require additional surgeries to correct the issue and extend recovery time.
3. Leaving Foreign Objects in the Body
Surgeons may leave foreign objects in the body, causing pain and complications for the patient. An example of this may be a sponge, scalpel, or wound dressing used during the procedure. This type of surgical error may be caused by fatigue or unqualified treatment.
4. Using the Wrong Surgical Instruments
When a surgeon is improperly trained or inadequately prepared, a surgeon may use the wrong instruments during a procedure that may cause infection, scarring, nerve damage, or other adverse complications.
5. Anesthesia Errors or Improper Monitoring
Anesthesiologists, surgeons, and operating room nurses must monitor a patient’s vital signs during surgery and administer the proper dosage of anesthesia so that the patient undergoes a smooth procedure. When surgical mistakes occur, negligent anesthesiologists or surgical staff may give too much or too little anesthesia or fail to verify medical history to prevent drug interactions or allergic reactions.
How to Prove Medical Malpractice in a Surgical Errors Claim
Medical malpractice claims stemming from surgical errors are incredibly complex and require the guidance of a Kansas medical malpractice lawyer. In addition to analyzing many medical records, you may need to retain an expert witness to testify about how the surgeon deviated from the standard of care.
When a medical malpractice claim is filed in Kansas, the surgeon may request that a medical malpractice screening panel be convened to assess the validity of your claim, according to Kansas Statutes section 65-4901.
To prove whether the surgical error was medical malpractice, you must demonstrate the following:
- A deviation from the proper standard of care by the treating surgeon
- Whether harm suffered by the patient was caused directly due to the deviation of care
With the help of the medical malpractice lawyers at Goza & Honnold, you may build a strong claim based on necessary evidence demonstrating a deviation from the medical standard of care. Surgical errors may often result in lasting injuries and complications. We will fight for the complete compensation you deserve for present and future medical expenses, lost wages, and other related losses.
Contact the Kansas Surgical Error Lawyers at Goza & Honnold
If you have suffered due to surgical error as a result of negligence, the medical malpractice lawyers at Goza & Honnold can help evaluate the details of your claim and guide you through your best legal options.
We have recovered millions for medical malpractice victims and are ready to help you with all aspects of your claim so you may focus on recovery. Schedule a complimentary consultation by calling (913) 451-3433 or filling out our contact form.