Common Surgical Errors Behind Lexington Medical Malpractice Claims
Every surgery comes with risks, but preventable mistakes should never be among them. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and hospital staff in the state of Kentucky are expected to follow the accepted standard of care. So when they fail, they need to be held accountable for their actions.
There are different types of mistakes that occur in different medical scenarios. However, there are often 5 recurring medical errors that frequently pop up.
What Are Kentucky’s Most Common Surgical Errors?
Human factors, including inadequate preoperative consultations, fatigue, inexperience and miscommunication between providers, are the major causes of:
1. Wrong-site, wrong-procedure or wrong-patient surgery
These “never events” occur when a surgeon operates on the incorrect body part, performs the wrong procedure or treats the wrong patient entirely. Victims suffer the physical trauma of an unnecessary operation while their original medical condition remains untreated. These cases frequently result in permanent physical impairment, severe psychological distress and the need for painful corrective procedures.
2. Retained foreign objects
Surgical teams are responsible for accounting for every sponge, needle and clamp before closing an incision. Tools left behind can lead to life-threatening infections, sepsis, internal organ damage and chronic pain.
3. Anesthesia mistakes
Errors occur when an anesthesiologist fails to review a patient’s medical history, administers improper medication dosages or fails to monitor vital signs. Poorly managed anesthesia can result in permanent brain damage, heart failure or wrongful death.
4. Nerve, vessel or organ damage
A careless slip of the scalpel or improper use of surgical instruments can nick or puncture healthy organs, blood vessels or nerves. Damage to the nervous system or vital organs can leave victims with chronic pain, loss of limb function or permanent disability.
5. Post-operative infections and poor follow-up care
Before any surgery, you have the right to understand the specific risks, potential complications and any available alternatives to the procedure. If a doctor fails to explain these risks and you suffer harm that you were not warned about, it may support a medical malpractice claim.
How Are Kentucky Medical Malpractice Lawyers Can Help You
O’Brien Batten Kirtley & Coomer, PLLC, does not back down from the healthcare industry when lives are changed by surgical malpractice. Our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience fighting for injured patients across Lexington, Louisville and throughout Kentucky. We handled handled a wide range of medical negligence errors with a track record of success.
Speak With Our Surgical Error Lawyers Today Over A Free Consultation
We invite you to reach out to our firm to learn more about us, our background and how we can help. Our lawyers at O’Brien Batten Kirtley & Coomer, PLLC, offer free and confidential consultations for alls surgical malpractice and hospital negligence claims in Lexington, Kentucky. Call us at 859-554-4727 today or use our online contact form.