Picture this: You have a medical condition that requires minor surgery, which the doctor says should be a walk-in/walk-out procedure. However, something goes wrong during the operation, and you find yourself in a worse position than before.
You may be a victim of a botched surgery, which is considered medical malpractice. Below, we look at several scenarios where such surgical errors may arise.
Foreign objects left in the body
Sometimes, out of negligence, foreign medical objects may be left behind after an operation. They include pads, gauzes and other surgical instruments which may cause an infection. Such errors can be avoided by performing a routine check after surgery but in some instances, it’s not the case.
Operating on the wrong patient or body part
A mix-up, which should not be allowed to occur, can happen and you may find yourself getting an operation you did not need. Miscommunication or lack of clear protocol can cause a mix-up and in most instances, it boils down to negligence by the healthcare provider.
Anesthesia errors
Too much anesthesia can be fatal, and this is one of the deadliest surgical errors. On the other hand, too little of it and you could wake up in the middle of an operation. Such inadequate doses can be administered either out of incompetence or carelessness, amounting to malpractice.
Injury to a nerve
Nerves are very sensitive and if it is damaged during a medical procedure, you may lose some physical abilities you had before. For instance, you may lose sensation or experience non-ending pain due to an injury to a nerve.
While anyone can make mistakes on the job, healthcare practitioners are held to higher standards due to the nature of their job. Not all medical errors amount to malpractice, and proof of negligence is needed. Should you fall victim to medical malpractice, knowing what steps to take in pursuit of justice is necessary to protect your legal rights.