When you face surgery in the Chicago area, you place immense trust in your medical team. You expect to be healthier after the operation than you were before. Tragically, preventable mistakes happen far too often, shattering that trust and causing devastating harm.
Not every substandard outcome means a doctor was careless, but a preventable error that falls below the accepted standard of care may be medical malpractice. If a surgical error causes you severe physical, emotional or financial consequences, you must understand your rights.
Mistakes that should never happen
Many surgical errors are referred to as “never events” because safety protocols are in place to prevent them from occurring. These mistakes should not happen if the medical team exercises proper care. Unfortunately, they occur and can lead to significant, long-term issues for patients and their families. These avoidable mistakes include:
- Wrong-site surgery: The surgeon operates on the wrong part of your body
- Foreign objects: A sponge, towel or surgical instrument is accidentally left inside your body
- Nerve damage: Due to improper surgical technique or positioning during the procedure
- Anesthesia errors: Too much or too little anesthesia is administered, or your vital signs are improperly monitored
These mistakes can turn a routine operation into a complex, life-altering struggle. They often lead to a painful road to recovery that no one foresaw.
The long-term toll of surgical errors
A surgical mistake can change your life forever, causing physical, emotional and financial turmoil. The recovery is often far more difficult than healing from the original medical problem.
Recovering physically and emotionally is rarely straightforward after a serious error. You may suffer from lingering complications that require endless medical care, including:
- Chronic pain and physical disability, limiting your movement or independence
- Multiple corrective surgeries, each one carrying new risks and expenses
- Severe infections like sepsis and permanent organ damage
Severe physical injuries can easily lead to severe emotional distress. Patients often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or crippling anxiety and depression. Losing faith in doctors can make seeking necessary future care very difficult.
The cost of correcting a surgical error can quickly become overwhelming, impacting your family’s financial stability. You face unexpected bills from extended hospital stays and rehabilitation while often losing your ability to earn a living.
Understanding your legal recourse
If a preventable surgical error harms you, you have the right to seek justice. Finding skilled legal counsel in Illinois is your first step toward holding the responsible parties accountable.
Experienced medical malpractice attorneys diligently work to secure compensation for extensive medical costs, lost income and the pain and suffering you endured. Surgical errors can have a profound and lasting toll, but taking informed action can help protect your rights and future.