Boston Surgical Error Lawyers
Undergoing any kind of surgery is stressful because of the risk involved. If you or a loved one has suffered injury, death, or loss at the hands of a surgeon, contact us today at (617) 404-3417 to find out what options are available to you for compensation. Our Boston surgical errors lawyers have earned millions of dollars in settlements for victims of surgical error.
Our Boston surgical errors lawyers realize many things may go wrong during surgery, even elective and out-patient procedures. From surgery on the wrong body part to medical instruments or equipment left inside a patient, to injury to other organs and other surgical mistakes, to negligent post-operative care, the list of possible complications is long. The lawyers at Crowe & Harris, LLP , are experienced in identifying unnecessary and unavoidable outcomes and seeking compensation for the victims of surgical mistakes.
Our surgical errors lawyers represent families throughout New England, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. If you or someone you know has suffered an injury or death during or after surgery, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses.
Contact a surgical errors attorney at Crowe & Harris, LLP , by calling (617) 404-3417 for a free consultation about your case.
On This Page:
- Why Choose Crowe & Harris, LLP ?
- Types of Surgical Errors
- Consequences of Surgical Errors
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact a Boston Surgical Malpractice Attorney
Why Choose Crowe & Harris, LLP ?
At Crowe & Harris, LLP , our attorneys have over a century’s worth of experience in defending victims throughout New England. We are motivated and equipped to assist you in receiving the compensation you deserve. In terms of medical malpractice, the results speak for themselves in showing how dedicated we are to helping our clients reach successful outcomes to their cases. Some examples of awards include the following:
- $1 million settlement for a woman who suffered a brain injury after what should have been a routine D&C
- $26.5 million settlement to a young boy who developed severe cerebral palsy during birth
- $1 million settlement to a man who suffered bowel and bladder damage from a cardiac catheterization procedure
- $1.8 million settlement to a mother who developed a urinary tract infection from a misplaced suture during an earlier Cesarean section that resulted in the premature delivery of her twins, one of which died and one of which suffers from cerebral palsy
- $2 million settlement to a woman who suffered brain trauma during an outpatient surgery to treat recurring sinus infections
- $1.5 million settlement to a 52-year-old man who suffered kidney failure, spinal nerve damage, and bilateral lower extremity paralysis during a kidney stone surgery
At Crowe & Harris, LLP , we pride ourselves on rigorously defending the rights of our clients. Our results mean a lot to us because behind each settlement is a highly satisfied client.
Types of Surgical Errors
No matter how routine a surgical procedure may seem, there is always risk involved when patients and surgeons enter the operating room. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses are expected to take precautions through every step of the process (including care provided before and after surgery) to ensure a successful operation. Unfortunately, surgical errors still occur, and when they do, they can leave lasting impacts on the victims.
It’s a common misconception that surgeons and medical professionals have so much training, schooling, and years of experience that they are incapable of making mistakes. Unfortunately, surgical errors are a regular occurrence in operating rooms across the country. Some of the most frequent types of surgical errors our team of attorneys sees include:
- Anesthesia errors, including administering too much or too little anesthesia
- Leaving surgical instruments inside the body
- Damage to surrounding muscles, ligaments, tissue, and nerves
- Infection
- Operating on the wrong body part or area of the body
- Operating on the wrong patient
- Malfunctioning medical devices
- Improperly monitoring patient vital signs
- Failure to provide adequate post-surgical care
- Surgery complication errors
In some cases, surgeons or other medical professionals can make a mistake due to improper training or pre-operation research and preparation. Other errors are due simply to carelessness. Ensuring a successful surgery is a complex process, and when nurses, surgeons, and other specialists act recklessly or negligently, they put innocent lives at risk.
Consequences of Surgical Errors
While no surgery is without risk, there are many common and avoidable errors that cause injury and death to thousands of surgical patients each year. Some of the more common problems include:
- Lack of oxygen
- Stroke
- Paralysis
- Brain injury
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Retained surgical material
- Wrong site surgery
- Death
If the careless actions of a surgeon caused you harm, you should not have to suffer the consequences alone. The surgical errors attorneys of Crowe & Harris, LLP work hard to get justice and fair compensation for those who have suffered unnecessary injury. We know that you counted on your surgeon to make you better, and if their error made your condition worse, you have the right to hold them accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recovering from a successful surgery is difficult enough, let alone dealing with the wreckage of a disastrous one. When you place your life in the hands of a surgeon, you trust that person to help you. When that person hurts you instead, there is damage to both your trust and your health. Fortunately, there are experienced surgical error attorneys at Crowe & Harris, LLP who know how to help you seek the compensation you deserve in the wake of the disaster. To help you begin the process of seeking damages, we have compiled a list of questions that clients have asked us, including the following:
What should I know about surgical errors?
According to a recent study by Johns Hopkins, 10% of all deaths in the United States are due to medical error. This means that more Americans die each year from medical error than from respiratory disease, which just behind deaths from cancer. Among medical errors, those made in surgery are often the most dangerous because of the risks already associated with putting someone under anesthesia. Surgery is usually an invasive procedure that requires a significant recovery period even when all factors are favorable. A compromised surgical procedure is therefore even more difficult to recover from. Although the majority of surgical errors may not result in death, they may cause devastating effects that last a lifetime. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a surgical error, seeking compensation with the help of an experienced surgical error attorney is a wise step to help move forward in the recovery process.
What are examples of surgical errors?
Most surgeons are capable professionals who seek to improve the lives of their patients. Unfortunately, they are humans who also make mistakes. Given the nature of their work and the fact that patients’ lives and general health are at stake, it is important to hold the medical professionals accountable for even unintentional errors. Pursuing compensation not only helps you recover, but it also helps future patients be treated more carefully. Some examples of surgical error include operating on the wrong part of the body; leaving foreign objects or material inside the body after surgery; failing to properly sanitize the surgical site and allowing an infection to occur; and jeopardizing organ function, either during or after surgery, because of insufficient oxygen. The results of surgical errors are usually quite serious and require additional medical procedures that can be risky and expensive.
If I signed a consent form, can I still seek compensation?
Generally speaking, you should still be able to seek financial compensation for surgical error that causes you serious harm. Signing a consent form allows a doctor to proceed, but does not give the doctor the right to be negligent. When you sign a consent form, you essentially state that you are aware of the procedures and risks involved, but if a doctor varies from the standard procedure and produces risks resulting from negligence, it is possible that you may be entitled to compensation for the injury you suffered. Contacting a surgical error attorney is the best way to determine your options.
Do I need an attorney?
Seeking reparations for surgical error is a difficult task to undertake on your own. If you or a loved one has suffered from an error during surgery, you will need strong evidence to prove negligence on the part of your medical provider. You will also need to carefully choose the amount of compensation you desire. Asking too little will leave you with outstanding debt to cover medical costs. Asking too much will hurt your case in the eyes of a judge or jury. These considerations are examples of how an attorney can help. When you enlist the resources and expertise of surgery error attorneys, the likelihood of being awarded damages greatly improves, as does your peace of mind. Let the attorneys fight your legal battles so you can focus on your health. Recovering from surgical error is difficult enough without the headache of navigating a complex legal system. Every case is unique and comes with its own challenges.
At Crowe & Harris, LLP , we have experienced surgical error attorneys who know how to cater to your needs and fight for your rights.
Contact a Boston Surgical Malpractice Attorney
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a surgical error, we may be able to help you figure out what went wrong.
Contact a Boston surgical error attorney of Crowe & Harris, LLP , today at (617) 404-3417 for a free consultation with an experienced member of our medical-legal team.
