Medical Malpractice and Surgical Errors
There are certain professions in our society that are relied upon to protect and care for people during intense, life and death situations. We rely on doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to care for our family members and ourselves when we are sick or injured. Unfortunately, medical malpractice is an alarmingly common problem and often results in serious personal injury, or even death, both of which are devastating for the victims and their families. One of the most common causes of medical malpractice is surgical error. Medical malpractice and surgical errors can cause our Daytona Beach clients to deal with costly damages and a severe change in lifestyle. At Chanfrau & Chanfrau, we work hard to ensure that victims of medical malpractice are justly compensated for the damages they suffer.
Proving Malpractice
It is important for clients to understand how it is established that a medical professional is guilty of malpractice. To simply say that a surgical error occurred is not enough to show malpractice. In order to prove malpractice, two things must be established. First, we need to show that the care provided was sub-standard to the care you would expect to receive from a similarly trained and educated medical professional. Second, it has to be shown that the victim was injured or harmed as a result of the surgical error. If both of these factors can be proven, a client is likely to have strong grounds for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Types of Surgical Error
To prove that the medical care was sub-standard, it is important to show how or why that care was insufficient. There are many possible types of surgical error and several reasons why these errors may have taken place. Below are some common reasons that surgical errors may occur:
- Surgical incompetence
- Insufficient pre-operative planning
- Improper surgical process
- Poor communication among healthcare providers
- Neglect on the part of the surgeon
- Performing surgery while extremely fatigued
- Performing surgery while under the effects of drugs or alcohol
Again, in order for malpractice to be proven, these errors must result in harm to the patient. Some of the types of surgical errors that are likely to hurt or inhibit a patient include the following:
- Injury to a nerve during surgery
- Operating on the wrong body part
- Placing an incision in the wrong location
- Failing to administer drugs and medication properly
- Leaving a piece of surgical equipment inside the patient
Seeking Compensation
Victims of medical malpractice may be due significant financial compensation for damages, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In situations such as these, it is important to work with experienced medical malpractice attorneys, such as those at Chanfrau & Chanfrau, to ensure that your legal rights are protected.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as the result of surgical error, it is important to talk to a lawyer about your case. Our personal injury attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau can assist you during this difficult time and will work hard to ensure that you are fairly compensated for damages suffered. Contact us at your earliest convenience to discuss the details of your case and learn more about your legal rights. We look forward to working with you.