Los Angeles Surgical Error Lawyer

Los Angeles Surgical Error Attorney

If you have found yourself in a situation where you need a Los Angeles surgical error lawyer, we know that you are currently going through a devastating time. No matter if it was you or a loved one who underwent surgery, you placed your trust in medical professionals to uphold the highest standard of care. Unfortunately, surgical errors happen more often than they should, and the consequences can be life-altering.

If you’ve suffered due to a preventable surgical mistake, you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced Los Angeles surgical error lawyers can stand by your side and help you fight for the justice you deserve.

Why Choose Our Firm?

When it comes to surgical errors, you need a legal team with proven results and dedication. At Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, you will work with Los Angeles surgical error lawyers who have handled numerous complex medical malpractice cases and secured substantial settlements and verdicts for our clients.

We treat every case with compassion and urgency, prioritizing your needs and well-being. Don’t wait to take action; connect with us as soon as possible to ensure all deadlines are met. We offer free consultations.

What Are Surgical Errors?

Surgical errors are preventable mistakes that occur before, during, or after surgery. Unlike known surgical risks, these errors are typically the result of medical negligence. Whether it’s operating on the wrong body part or leaving surgical instruments inside a patient, these mistakes are inexcusable and potentially life-altering.

Common types of surgical errors can include:

• Wrong-site surgery
• Wrong-patient surgery
• Leaving tools or sponges inside the body
• Anesthesia errors
• Performing unnecessary surgery
• Infections due to poor sterilization
• Internal organ damage
• Nerve damage from surgical mistakes

Why Surgical Errors Happen

Surgical errors are often caused by negligence, fatigue, miscommunication, or a lack of proper procedures. In many cases, hospitals and surgical centers are understaffed, increasing the chances of human error. Some of the most common causes of surgical errors include:

• Inadequate preoperative planning
• Miscommunication among the surgical team
• Surgeon’s incompetence or fatigue
• Failure to follow standard medical protocol
• Improper chart review or documentation errors

Regardless of the reason, these errors are avoidable and should never be dismissed as routine complications.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Surgical Error?

Multiple parties may be legally responsible for a surgical error, depending on the circumstances. These can include:

• The surgeon who performed the procedure
• Anesthesiologists or nurses involved in the operation
• The hospital or surgical center
• Medical equipment manufacturers (in product-related failures)

Our legal team conducts a thorough investigation to determine all liable parties and hold them accountable for their actions.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

If you were harmed by a surgical error, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Wrongful death (in fatal surgical error cases)

Insights into California Surgical Errors and Hospitals

While specific surgical error statistics for Los Angeles are limited, statewide data from California provides insight into the prevalence and types of surgical errors, often referred to as “never events.” A study analyzing data from 2007 to 2017 reported 142 serious surgical errors in California hospitals. These included:

• Retained foreign objects: 66.2% of cases
• Wrong-site or wrong-patient surgeries: 15.5%
• Surgical burns: 7.7%
• Other errors: 10.6%

Additionally, hospital safety grades, which assess factors like surgical errors, infections, and patient injuries, indicate that 43% of hospitals in Los Angeles and San Francisco received an A grade, and 37% of hospitals statewide received grades from C to F.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations in California is generally one year from the day of discovery of the injury or three years from the day of the injury. However, exceptions could apply based on the specifics of your case. It’s critical to speak with a Los Angeles surgical error attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve evidence.

FAQs

What Are the Four Things That Must Be Proven to Win a Medical Malpractice Claim?

To win a medical malpractice claim, four elements must be proven: duty, showing the healthcare professional owed care; breach, proving they failed to meet the standard of care; causation, linking the breach directly to the injury; and damages, demonstrating actual harm resulted. All four must be established for a successful claim.

What Qualifies for Medical Malpractice in California?

In California, medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional breaches the standard of care, causing injury or harm to a patient. Qualifying cases include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, birth injuries, or failure to treat. The patient must prove negligence, a direct link between the negligence and harm, and resulting damages to pursue a malpractice claim.

How Do You Prove a Surgical Error?

To prove a surgical error, you must show the surgeon breached the standard of care, causing harm. This involves medical records, professional testimony, and evidence linking the mistake to the injury. A malpractice attorney can help gather proof, consult professionals, and demonstrate that the error wouldn’t have occurred under competent medical practice.

What Happens If a Surgeon Messes Up a Surgery?

If a surgeon messes up a surgery, the patient may face complications, injury, or worsening health. The surgeon must report the error, and the hospital usually reviews the case. The patient can seek medical correction or legal action for malpractice. Surgeons undergo investigations, and if negligence is proven, they might face license suspension, fines, or legal claims to ensure accountability and patient safety.

Contact Us Today

If you have found yourself in need of a Los Angeles surgical error lawyer, it is time for you to talk to Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates. We can help you seek the compensation you may deserve so you may try to move on from this terrible tragedy. If you have found yourself in this unfortunate situation, contact us today.