Can I Sue If My Surgeon Performed the Wrong Procedure? | IL

 Posted on August 30, 2024 in Medical Malpractice

Deciding to undergo surgery is a daunting prospect for most people. While these procedures can solve various health issues, there are also many risks involved. Although you might be concerned about infections, recovery, and pain, you probably would not think about the possibility of your surgeon performing the wrong operation.

Many kinds of surgical errors, including performing an incorrect procedure, can directly harm patients or cause death. If negligence was behind the surgical error that affected you, you may qualify for a settlement through a medical malpractice claim. The experienced lawyers from Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. can investigate your situation, gather supporting evidence, and help you get the compensation you deserve.

How Common Are Medical Errors?

A recent publication revealed that medical errors are the third leading cause of U.S. deaths. Studies have shown that around 400,000 hospital patients annually suffer some kind of preventable harm, with more than 200,000 yearly patient fatalities linked to preventable medical errors.

While some medical errors are honest mistakes, others result from negligence on the part of healthcare facilities, physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals. Common medical errors include:

• Hospital-acquired infections

• Diagnostic mistakes

• Medication errors

• Surgical mistakes

• Medical equipment failures

• Lack of communication

While it may sound unfeasible, surgeons do perform the wrong operation on patients. These "never events" should never happen because they are easily avoidable and can cause significant consequences for a patient’s health.

Why Would a Surgeon Perform the Wrong Procedure?

Various precautions are intended to prevent this type of event, but they still happen. The surgeon might:

• Fail to confirm the identity of the patient before operating, performing a procedure meant for another patient

• Confuse the side of the body where they should operate, focusing on the left side instead of the right, for example

• Choose the wrong surgical site, such as performing a cervical operation rather than a lumbar procedure

Undergoing the wrong operation can have multiple consequences to patients. If this happened to you, Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. can help ensure that you receive all eligible damages.

What Can Happen in Wrong-Site, Wrong-Patient, and Wrong-Procedure Situations?

An incorrect surgery can result in many kinds of harm. First, you agreed to the operation to address an existing health condition. If the correct procedure is not performed, that condition remains untreated and may worsen. You will likely need to undergo the appropriate procedure as well.

The wrong operation can cause its own harm. For example, if a diabetic goes into surgery expecting her left foot to be amputated but comes out missing her right foot, her life is forever altered. Unnecessary surgeries can profoundly impact the patient’s overall health and emotional well-being, in addition to creating additional financial losses.

Depending on your unique situation, you may be eligible to receive damages for your current and future financial losses and negative impacts on your quality of life.

Call Our Dedicated Aurora, IL Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today

When a surgeon’s negligent mistake impacts your life, Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. will fight to see you get the maximum allowable amount of compensation. Call 630-907-0909 now for your free consultation with our skilled Kane County, IL personal injury attorneys.