Surgical procedures are often life-saving. However, the consequences can be catastrophic when mistakes happen in the operating room. Patients place immense trust in surgeons, anesthesiologists, and medical professionals to deliver competent care, but errors can lead to serious harm or even death.
At Brockstedt Mandalas Federico LLC, our attorneys have spent decades representing victims of surgical errors in Maryland. We have secured some of the largest verdicts and settlements in the region, advocating fiercely for those harmed by medical negligence. Our extensive trial experience and long-standing relationships in the medical malpractice community give us a distinct advantage when fighting for justice for our clients.
Read on to learn about common surgical errors and the legal options available if you or a loved one suffered an injury during surgery.
What Are Surgical Errors?
A surgical error is a preventable mistake that occurs during an operation and deviates from the accepted standard of care. When errors occur due to mistakes, inattention, inadequate training, or other negligence, the patient may have a valid claim for medical malpractice.
Errors can range from minor complications to life-altering or fatal outcomes. Understanding the most common surgical errors can help patients recognize when legal action may be appropriate.
Common Types of Surgical Errors in Maryland
Surgical errors can occur in various ways, and the consequences can be life-altering. Despite advances in medical technology and the implementation of strict safety protocols, mistakes still happen during surgery. Patients place immense trust in the hands of their healthcare providers. When a provider breaks that trust due to negligence, the results can be catastrophic. Below are the most common types of surgical errors that can occur.
Wrong-Site Surgery
Wrong-site surgery occurs when a surgeon performs a procedure on the wrong part of the body, such as operating on the left knee instead of the right or removing a healthy organ instead of the diseased one. These surgeries often stem from inadequate communication, mislabeling of patient charts, or failure to follow preoperative verification protocols. These errors harm the patient and may require additional corrective surgeries, increasing the risk of complications.
Wrong-Patient Surgery
In rare cases, a surgeon may perform a procedure on the wrong patient. Wrong-patient surgeries typically occur due to identification errors, chart mix-ups, or a failure to follow established verification protocols. Such mistakes can lead to unnecessary procedures, exposure to surgical risks, and emotional trauma for the patient.
Anesthesia Errors
Administering anesthesia requires precision and constant monitoring. Even a slight error in dosage can have severe consequences. Anesthesia errors can occur in several ways, including:
- Administering too much or too little anesthesia;
- Failing to monitor vital signs during the procedure;
- Misinterpreting a patient’s medical history, leading to adverse reactions; and
- Delayed response to signs of distress.
Anesthesia errors can leave patients in a coma, cause permanent cognitive impairment, or lead to tragic fatalities. Anesthesiologists and their teams must follow stringent protocols to avoid these mistakes.
Foreign Objects Left in the Body
One of the most preventable surgical errors occurs when surgical instruments, sponges, or gauze are unintentionally left inside a patient’s body after surgery. This type of error often results from inadequate instrument counts, distraction, or communication failures between surgical team members. Despite safety protocols designed to prevent such incidents, retained objects remain a persistent issue in operating rooms, posing significant health risks to patients.
Infections Due to Unsanitary Practices
Surgical procedures must be performed under sterile conditions to prevent infections. However, when surgeons or medical staff fail to follow proper sterilization protocols, patients may develop severe infections.
Contaminated surgical instruments, improper hand hygiene, and failure to maintain a sterile environment can introduce harmful bacteria into the body, leading to a life-threatening response to an infection called sepsis, prolonged hospital stays, and an increased risk of other complications.
Postoperative Negligence and Monitoring Errors
Surgical errors are not limited to the operating room. Postoperative care plays a critical role in ensuring a patient’s recovery. When medical staff fail to monitor for complications, neglect to manage pain effectively, or overlook signs of infection, a patient’s condition can worsen. Negligence during the postoperative phase can lead to prolonged recovery and additional medical treatment.
Medication Errors During or After Surgery
Medication administration errors are another preventable issue that can occur before, during, or after surgery. These errors may involve administering the wrong medication or dosage or failing to recognize potential drug interactions. When patients receive incorrect medications or inappropriate dosages, they may experience severe allergic reactions, organ damage, or life-threatening conditions.
Pursuing Compensation for Surgical Errors in Maryland
Patients may have the right to pursue compensation for surgical errors when an error occurs due to medical negligence. Filing a medical malpractice claim can help recover damages such as:
- Medical expenses. Compensation for additional surgeries, hospital stays, doctor visits, and ongoing treatment related to the error.
- Lost wages and future earnings. Reimbursement for time missed from work and loss of future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering. Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs. Coverage for necessary rehabilitation and therapy to restore function and well-being.
To successfully pursue a malpractice claim, patients must demonstrate that the healthcare provider’s negligence directly caused the harm they suffered. This process requires thorough investigation, expert testimony, and strong legal representation.
How Brockstedt Mandalas Federico Can Help
Surgical errors can leave patients with lasting injuries, financial burdens, and emotional distress. At Brockstedt Mandalas Federico, we understand the complexities of medical malpractice cases and are prepared to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex surgical error claims and are ready to take cases to trial if necessary.
Our team approaches each case with the attention to detail and personal care that every client deserves. If you or a loved one has suffered from a surgical error in Maryland, we encourage you to contact us. Our attorneys are ready to evaluate your case, answer your questions, and discuss the best path forward. Contact Brockstedt Mandalas Federico today for a free consultation.
Phil Federico is a partner at Brockstedt Mandalas Federico where he helps lead the Mass Tort / Class Action and Environmental Law practices, transitioning into these areas after beginning his career as a medical malpractice litigator.
Phil has led and been involved in historic and groundbreaking litigation with verdicts and settlements exceeding one billion dollars.
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