Surgical procedures are usually safely planned and executed. Nonetheless, surgery of any kind creates situations vulnerable to human error. Surgical errors often lead to additional complications when the mistake is not recognized or ignored. Some surgical errors may lead to permanent disability and even death. Common examples of unintended surgical complications and errors include:
Inadequate preoperative evaluation
Delayed surgery
Incorrect incision
Wrong site surgery
Inadequate monitoring during the procedure
Improper positioning on the operating room table
Leaving a foreign object (instrument or sponge) in the patient's body
Incomplete surgical procedure
Inappropriate postoperative care
Surgery unrelated to the patient's condition
Negligence in a surgical procedure can be especially difficult to prove in court. Making a claim of a surgical error against a surgeon requires sophisticated medical knowledge and the assistance of reputable medical experts willing to testify convincingly as to the surgeon's negligence in court. At Gorovitz & Borten we have both the knowledge and the resources to put together a solid representation of your medical negligence case. Some examples of surgical malpractice our office has represented include:
In the operating room, damage control principles dictate that control of hemorrhage and control of contamination take priority deferring prolonged surgical interventions and reconstructions until the patient is stabilized. Correction of hypothermia (low body temperature), acidosis (chemical imbalance) and coagulopathy (blood clotting abnormality) should be accomplished to avoid major complications. Failure to adhere to these principles is a clear departure from the acceptable standard of care. Major categories of management errors in the operating room include:
Inadequate hemorrhage control
Deficient airway management
Inappropriate management of an unstable patient
Complications of the procedure itself
Inadequate antibiotic prophylaxis
Inadequate coagulation prophylaxis
Over-resuscitation with fluids
Surgical instruments left in the body
Surgical mistakes that cause injury may give rise to a medical malpractice cause of action. If as a result of a surgeon's or nurse's error your condition worsened or you have been unexpectedly injured, you deserve legal representation. If you are suffering from complications due to a surgical error, let Dr. Borten and the Boston area medical malpractice attorneys at Gorovitz & Borten review the specifics of your case. We can help you assert your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
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