Can I sue a doctor for surgical errors in Southern Arizona?

Yes, there are legal options available to you after a surgical error. In fact, surgical errors make up one of the most common types of medical malpractice throughout the country.

Medical malpractice claims based on surgical errors commonly involve an injury or death that could have been avoided, or they resulted from the medical professional's negligence or lack of attention. The intent of a surgeon does not have to be malicious for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Medical professionals are human and deal with significant amounts of stress while performing their jobs, and as such, are no less vulnerable to making mistakes. Unfortunately, surgical mistakes often result in significant impacts on a patient's life.

The medical malpractice attorneys at Biaggi, Kroese and Campbell have helped clients successfully file claims after surgical errors. If you believe that you or a loved one have suffered unnecessarily after a surgical error, you deserve compensation for your losses. Call 520-618-2515 or fill out our online submission form today to get started on your road to recovery.

Types of Surgical Errors in Southern Arizona

Surgical errors could potentially occur in any type of surgical procedure, so there are many types of surgical errors. For medical malpractice cases, some surgical mistakes are more common than others.

For example, a patient's surgery could be performed at the wrong site, including the wrong body part, organ, or area of the body. Similarly, a surgery could be performed on the wrong patient or on a patient who does not need the surgery, thereby exposing them to many dangers for no legitimate reason.

Even if a surgery is performed on the correct patient and site, the patient could be harmed by infections from unsanitary instruments or equipment used during the surgery. Additionally, surgical instruments might be left inside a patient's body after a surgery. Finally, a surgeon might puncture or damage a neighboring internal organ during the surgery.

What are the consequences of surgical errors in Arizona ?

The consequences of a surgical error vary greatly from minimal damage to potentially life-altering injuries, depending on the circumstances. However, any type or cause of a surgical mistake could result in severe consequences, including but not limited to:

• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Nerve damage
• Scarring
• Amputation or disfigurement
• Temporary or permanent disability

Additional consequences of a surgical mistake might include significant medical bills for treatment required after the error, and lost income due to missed time at work while undergoing the corrective procedures. Following some surgical errors, a patient might not recover to the same physical health for several years, if ever. In some severe cases, the consequences could be catastrophic with a patient losing their life after a surgical mistake. 

When do Arizona surgical errors become medical malpractice?

It is important for patients to understand that not all surgical errors are the result of negligence or lead to medical malpractice lawsuits. There are specific elements that must be established for a successful medical malpractice case following a surgical error.

Surgical errors typically become medical malpractice when the surgeon or other healthcare provider fails to follow and adhere to the relevant standard or care, and that failure causes the patient to sustain harm. The standard of care generally means the quality of care that another similarly trained and experienced surgeon would have provided under the same or similar circumstances. The key question is: if the surgeon acted as a reasonably prudent surgeon under the circumstances, could the error and harm have been prevented?

At Biaggi, Kroese and Campbell, we can help you answer this key question and get you back to your life before your surgery. Call 520-618-2515 today to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can assist you.