Surgical Error
Surgery can be performed for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it can be elective, meaning it is planned in advance, and there can be circumstances in which there are alternate treatments available (such as medication).
The aim of elective surgery may be to improve quality of life. Examples include a hip replacement to improve mobility, or breast reconstruction following a mastectomy. Elective surgery can also include surgery to treat a chronic (long-term) illness or life-threatening condition, but where such treatment doesn’t have to be performed immediately as an emergency. An example of this would be an organ transplant, or surgical excision (removal) of a tumour.
Where a patient is agreeing to undergo elective surgery, they will usually be provided with time to consider the risks, weigh them against the potential benefits, and make a decision.
In other cases, surgery will be performed urgently due to a life-threatening illness or complication requiring immediate intervention. Examples include surgery for appendicitis or to stop internal bleeding.
In circumstances where emergency surgery is necessary, patients have little option but to consent to the procedure and place their lives in the hands of their surgeon. It can therefore be devastating when mistakes made during surgery leave victims of medical negligence with severe and life-changing complications.
In either case, mistakes made during a surgical procedure can leave you with unnecessary suffering and pain which can have repercussions for the rest of your life. Whilst no surgery is entirely without risk, there are occasions when the manifestation of such a risk could, and should, have been prevented.
At Wake Smith our surgical injury solicitors have a vast experience of dealing with surgical injury claims including:
- Retained surgical instruments and swabs;
- Infections resulting from problems with the air filtration system in theatre;
- Negligently performed breast augmentation;
- Nerve damage during an operation;
- Internal bleeding resulting in death;
- Perforation of bowel resulting in peritonitis, gangrene and amputation of the leg.
If you have suffered physically or emotionally due to a surgeon’s error or mistake, you may be able to claim for compensation. Here at Wake Smith we will offer a free appointment to discuss your surgery and help you to decide whether to bring a claim.
