Surgical Error Attorneys in Columbus, Ohio

Surgical errors are some of the most traumatic forms of medical malpractice, often leading to severe personal injury consequences that can affect a patient’s health for years to come. These mistakes can result in complications ranging from prolonged recovery times to permanent disabilities or even death. 

If you or a loved one has been harmed due to a surgical error, it's crucial to understand your legal rights. The attorneys at Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC, in Columbus, Ohio, are dedicated to providing compassionate and aggressive representation to victims of surgical malpractice. 

What Are Surgical Errors?

Surgical errors are mistakes made during a surgical procedure that can lead to unnecessary harm or personal injury. These errors can occur at any stage of the surgery, from the pre-operative phase to the post-operative recovery period. 

Some surgical mistakes are avoidable, while others may result from negligence, lack of proper training, or lapses in judgment by medical professionals. Regardless of the cause, when surgical errors occur that result in personal injury, patients are left to cope with the consequences—both physical and financial.

Common Causes of Surgical Errors

There are various factors that can contribute to surgical errors resulting in personal injury, and many of these are preventable with proper care and attention. Some of the most common causes of surgical errors include:

• Inadequate preparation: Surgeons and medical staff are required to thoroughly prepare for each procedure, including reviewing medical records and patient history, checking equipment, and confirming surgical plans. Inadequate preparation can lead to errors, such as performing surgery on the wrong patient or body part.

• Failure to communicate: Effective communication among medical professionals is essential for patient safety. Miscommunication between the surgical team, anesthesiologists, and nurses can result in mistakes like wrong-site surgery, dosage errors, or inadequate anesthesia levels.

• Negligence: Surgical negligence may occur when a surgeon fails to follow established protocols or make careful decisions during a procedure. This could include mistakes like leaving surgical instruments inside the body, cutting the wrong tissue, or not responding quickly enough to complications that arise during surgery.

• Incompetence or lack of training: Surgeons and other medical professionals are required to maintain the necessary skills and knowledge for their field. Incompetence or inadequate training can lead to errors, such as performing a surgery improperly or using incorrect techniques.

• Fatigue and distraction: Surgeons often work long hours and deal with high-pressure situations, which can lead to fatigue or distraction. These factors can impair their ability to focus and make critical decisions, which can result in errors during surgery.

• Failure to monitor post-operative conditions: After surgery, it’s essential for medical staff to closely monitor patients for signs of complications. If staff fails to monitor vital signs or recognize early warning signs of infection, bleeding, or other issues, patients may suffer further injury.

Common Types of Surgical Errors

Surgical errors can vary greatly in terms of severity and impact on the patient. Some errors result in minor complications, while others lead to permanent personal injury damage or death. Here are some of the most common types of surgical errors:

• Wrong-site surgery: One of the most well-known surgical errors occurs when a surgeon operates on the wrong site. This can involve performing surgery on the wrong organ, limb, or side of the body, leading to serious complications and additional surgeries to correct the mistake.

• Anesthesia errors: Anesthesia is crucial for most surgeries, and errors in administering anesthesia can result in severe consequences. These errors can include giving too much anesthesia, not enough, or failing to monitor the patient’s vital signs during surgery, leading to brain damage, heart failure, or even death.

• Surgical instrument retention: Sometimes, surgeons accidentally leave medical instruments or materials inside a patient’s body after surgery. This can cause infections, internal damage, or require additional surgeries to remove the object.

• Nerve damage: Nerve damage during surgery can result in permanent loss of function, pain, or numbness. This often happens when surgeons accidentally cut or damage nerves while performing the procedure.

• Infection: Infections can occur during or after surgery if proper sterilization techniques are not followed. Severe infections can lead to further medical complications, extended recovery times, and long-term health problems.

• Organ perforation or damage: Accidental damage to non-operative internal organs during surgery can result in severe health issues. This can occur if a surgeon mistakenly punctures or cuts a vital organ during the procedure, causing bleeding, infection, or other complications.

• Blood clots: Surgical procedures can sometimes lead to the formation of blood clots, which can cause significant complications, including strokes, heart attacks, or deep vein thrombosis. Surgeons must carefully monitor for signs of clotting during and after surgery.

How Surgical Error Attorneys Can Help

If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury harm due to a surgical error, a skilled attorney can help you seek justice. The legal team at Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC, has extensive experience in handling medical malpractice and surgical error cases. Here’s how a surgical error attorney can assist you:

• Investigating the surgical error: Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the surgical error. This includes reviewing medical records, interviewing medical experts, and gathering evidence to support your case.

• Consulting with medical professionals: Medical experts play a critical role in establishing whether a surgical error occurred and whether it was preventable. Your attorney will work with experts in surgery, anesthesiology, and other fields to build a strong case.

• Filing a lawsuit: If the surgical error was caused by medical negligence or malpractice, your attorney will file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. This may include the surgeon, hospital, anesthesiologists, or other medical staff involved in the procedure.

• Negotiating with insurance companies: Insurance companies often try to settle medical malpractice cases quickly for less. Your attorney will negotiate on your behalf to secure a fair settlement that covers medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.

• Litigating the case: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will take the case to court. They will represent you throughout the trial process and work to secure a favorable verdict in your favor.

• Assuring future care: In many surgical error cases, the patient requires ongoing medical care or rehabilitation. Your attorney will make sure that any compensation awarded accounts for future medical expenses, lost quality of life, and other long-term needs.

Time Limits for Surgical Error Claims

In Ohio, the statutes of limitations dictate how long you have to file a lawsuit after a surgical error. In most cases, you have one year from the date of injury or the date it was discovered to file a claim.

Certain circumstances may extend this time frame, such as if the injury was not immediately apparent or if the surgeon deliberately concealed the error.

It’s crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to make sure that you don’t miss the deadline for filing your claim. Missing the statute of limitations may result in your case being dismissed, even if you have a valid claim.

Common Questions About Surgical Error Cases

When it comes to surgical errors, victims often have many questions about their rights and legal options. Here are some frequently asked questions:

• What constitutes a surgical error? A surgical error is any mistake made during surgery that leads to harm or injury to the patient. This can include wrong-site surgery, anesthesia errors, surgical instrument retention, nerve damage, or infections caused by improper sterilization.

• Can I sue for a surgical error? Yes, if the surgical error was the result of medical malpractice or negligence, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit for compensation. This can include compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.

• How long does a surgical error case take? The time it takes to resolve a surgical error case depends on several factors, including how complicated the case is, whether the case goes to trial, and whether a settlement is reached. Your attorney will provide guidance throughout the process.

• How much compensation can I receive for a surgical error? The amount of compensation you can receive will depend on the severity of your injury, the impact on your life, and the costs associated with your recovery. Your attorney will work to make sure you receive fair compensation for all damages.

How Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC Can Help

At Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC, the attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial strain that a surgical error can cause. From investigating the error to negotiating a settlement or taking the case to court, the firm is dedicated to providing compassionate legal representation throughout the entire process.