Huntington Beach Surgical Error Lawyer

Huntington Beach Surgical Error Attorney

A surgical error is an avoidable, preventable injury that happens outside the acceptable risk of a surgery. If healthcare professionals followed procedure-specific safety standards, the resulting injury typically could have been avoided. If you experienced an anesthesia issue, a wrong-site surgery, or had a foreign object left inside your body, a trusted Huntington Beach surgical error lawyer can review your case and explore your recovery options.

Surgical mistakes compromise the safety of patients and erode their trust in the local healthcare system. If you need help, the team at Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates is ready to listen. We provide the type of professional attention you simply can’t find anywhere else. Contact our office to set up a free consultation with a Huntington Beach attorney.

Huntington Beach Medical Malpractice

Generally, a surgical error is considered a type of avoidable medical error, which is also called medical malpractice. Medical malpractice occurs if a healthcare provider fails to follow the appropriate care required for their patient, which causes harm.

Many different types of surgical errors can happen, such as:

• Foreign object issues. It’s unfortunate that sometimes surgical sponges, instruments, etc., are left in a patient after surgery is over. A recent wrongful death case was filed after a Scripps Memorial Hospital staff member accidentally flicked a medical vial cap into a patient’s throat, which killed the patient.
• Surgical site errors. This can happen when a surgeon operates on the incorrect body part or on an entirely wrong patient.
• Infections. Harmful infections can happen when healthcare providers do not follow required hygiene and/or sterilization protocols.
• Anesthesia errors. A healthcare provider may give too much or too little anesthesia, which can be dangerous or even kill a patient. Additionally, the wrong type of anesthesia could be administered, which can also cause medical complications.

There are many different types of surgical errors that are preventable. With busy local facilities like the Hoag Health Center and the Huntington Beach Hospital in our area, these surgical error incidents can happen all too often.

If you or a loved one needs help after an avoidable Huntington Beach surgical error, contact the experienced team at Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates to discuss your situation.

Huntington Beach Surgical Errors

Nationally, there are approximately 100,000 deaths each year because of preventable medical errors. Sadly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that medical error was the fourth most common cause of death in 2021.

At the date of the last census, our local Huntington Beach population in 2023 was about 192,129 residents. With so many locals, our community sees surgical errors too frequently. Accordingly, speaking with an attorney familiar with these cases is an important first step if you’re a victim of a surgical error.

Consult an Attorney

An attorney can make a substantial difference in your overall financial recovery and provide invaluable legal assistance. An attorney can:

• Guide you throughout your claim with compassion and efficiency,
• Provide legal representation for a surgical error case tailored to your specific needs,
• Work with any necessary additional medical professionals to focus on your surgical records,
• Determine what mistakes were made during your surgery,
• Build a case on your behalf that supports your legal claims,
• Argue that the surgeon, anesthesiologist, or hospital team member(s) did not meet their required appropriate care,
• Maximize your financial recovery for your injury,
• Explore all avenues of compensation, and
• Represent your interests in court as necessary.

Consider speaking with a skilled attorney, especially with a complex surgical error case. An attorney can pursue your case and provide positive results.

FAQs

Can I Get a Second Opinion After a Surgical Error Is Suspected?

Yes, if you believe you’ve been a surgical error victim, it’s important to get a second opinion from a medical professional immediately. You might not notice any symptoms right away. Complications like infections or internal injuries can take time to develop, particularly for issues like having a foreign object left inside your body.

An attorney from Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates can explore what happened during your surgery and build a strong surgical error claim.

Are Surgical Errors Just Like Every Other Medical Malpractice Case?

No, surgical error claims can be significantly more complicated than other medical malpractice cases. They usually involve immediate complications that develop because of a surgical error due to healthcare provider negligence.

Proving these cases often requires help from a consulting expert who can focus on any mistakes made during surgery. Also, an attorney can help use their understanding of California negligence law to build your case.

Can I Get Emotional Distress Damages for a Surgical Error Case in California?

Yes, you can claim emotional distress damages in California for a surgical error case. If your case is successful, you may get an award for emotional distress if you’ve experienced anguish, anxiety, etc., because of the surgical mistake.

An experienced California attorney can explain all avenues for financial recovery, and they can usually help maximize your damages.

What Happens if My Surgeon Is Highly Respected in Huntington Beach?

You have a right to pursue a claim under California law against any surgeon who makes an avoidable mistake that causes you injury — regardless of their surgical reputation. Even the most highly regarded surgeons can make mistakes. Someone’s professional reputation does not make them immune to a legal claim when they fail to follow the appropriate care required.

Contact a Trusted Huntington Beach Surgical Error Lawyer — Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates

To win these cases, you need someone who understands both the complicated medicine involved and the complex California negligence laws.

Ken Sigelman, J.D., M.D., is a licensed physician, an experienced surgeon, and an attorney. He relies on his medical background and surgical experience to help his Huntington Beach legal clients. Due to his familiarity with the surgeon’s appropriate care, he routinely holds negligent California surgeons responsible when they fall below the accepted appropriate care.

Having an attorney guide you through this overwhelming process can let you focus on your injury recovery. If you were the victim of a surgical error, you may be entitled to compensation.

Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer.