Surgery is a big deal. There are always risks. When a surgeon or another medical professional commits a surgical error and you are harmed, you should not have to bear the weight of that mistake. You are entitled to file a medical claim and get the compensation you deserve.
At Hopkins Law Firm, our medical malpractice attorney handles these types of cases. Time is critical, so contact us online or call us today at (843) 314-4202 to schedule a free consultation.
Suing for Surgical Errors in South Carolina
Yes, there are legal options available to you after a surgical error. In fact, surgical errors make up one of the most common types of medical malpractice throughout the country.
Medical malpractice claims based on surgical errors commonly involve an injury or death that could have been avoided, or they resulted from the medical professional's negligence or lack of attention. The intent of a surgeon does not have to be malicious for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Medical professionals are human and deal with significant amounts of stress while performing their jobs, and as such, are no less vulnerable to making mistakes. Unfortunately, surgical mistakes often result in significant impacts on a patient's life.
The medical malpractice attorneys at Hopkins Law Firm have helped clients successfully file claims after surgical errors. If you believe that you or a loved one have suffered unnecessarily after a surgical error, you deserve compensation for your losses. Call (843) 314-4202 or fill out our online submission form today to get started on your road to recovery.
Types of Surgical Errors in South Carolina
Surgical errors could potentially occur in any type of surgical procedure, so there are many types of surgical errors. For medical malpractice cases, some surgical mistakes are more common than others.
For example, a patient's surgery could be performed at the wrong site, including the wrong body part, organ, or area of the body. Similarly, a surgery could be performed on the wrong patient or on a patient who does not need the surgery, thereby exposing them to many dangers for no legitimate reason.
Even if a surgery is performed on the correct patient and site, the patient could be harmed by infections from unsanitary instruments or equipment used during the surgery. Additionally, surgical instruments might be left inside a patient's body after a surgery. Finally, a surgeon might puncture or damage a neighboring internal organ during the surgery.
Common Injuries Associated with Surgical Errors
The consequences of a surgical error vary greatly from minimal damage to potentially life-altering injuries, depending on the circumstances. However, any type or cause of a surgical mistake could result in severe consequences, including but not limited to:
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Scarring
- Amputation or disfigurement
- Temporary or permanent disability
Additional consequences of a surgical mistake might include significant medical bills for treatment required after the error, and lost income due to missed time at work while undergoing the corrective procedures. Following some surgical errors, a patient might not recover to the same physical health for several years, if ever. In some severe cases, the consequences could be catastrophic with a patient losing their life after a surgical mistake.
When Do Surgical Errors become Medical Malpractice in South Carolina?
It is important for patients to understand that not all surgical errors are the result of negligence or lead to medical malpractice lawsuits. There are specific elements that must be established for a successful medical malpractice case following a surgical error.
Surgical errors typically become medical malpractice when the surgeon or other healthcare provider fails to follow and adhere to the relevant standard or care, and that failure causes the patient to sustain harm. The standard of care generally means the quality of care that another similarly trained and experienced surgeon would have provided under the same or similar circumstances.
The key question is: if the surgeon acted as a reasonably prudent surgeon under the circumstances, could the error and harm have been prevented? A medical malpractice attorney in South Carolina will help you answer it and move forward with a personal injury claim, as appropriate.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Pawleys Island Today
At Hopkins Law Firm, our surgical error malpractice lawyer in South Carolina handles these types of cases. Contact us online or call us today at (843) 314-4202 to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can assist you.
