Riverside Surgical Error Lawyer

Riverside Surgical Error Attorney

Surgical procedures are often complex, requiring precision, skill, and absolute adherence to professional standards. When a surgical error occurs, the consequences can be life-altering or even fatal, often requiring the assistance of a Riverside surgical error lawyer.

If you or someone you love has suffered due to a mistake in the operating room, you may be entitled to compensation. At Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, our Riverside surgical error lawyers can stand by your side, guide you through the legal process, and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Why Choose Our Riverside Surgical Error Lawyer

At Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, we combine deep legal knowledge with a compassionate, client-focused approach. We understand how devastating a surgical error can be physically, emotionally, and financially. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for clients across Riverside and Southern California.

Our legal team has a proven track record of success, using aggressive negotiation and past experience to set us apart from competitors. With our free consultations, our Riverside surgical error lawyers can start providing clients with advice from the get-go.

Understanding Surgical Errors

While every surgery carries some risk, not every bad outcome is a surgical error. A surgical error is a preventable mistake that deviates from the accepted standard of care. These are not just unfortunate events, but they are also acts of negligence that could and should have been avoided. Some common types of surgical errors include:

• Wrong-site surgery
• Wrong-patient surgery
• Incorrect procedure performed
• Leaving instruments or sponges inside the body
• Anesthesia errors
• Damage to internal organs or nerves
• Postoperative infections due to poor sterilization
• Failure to monitor the patient during or after surgery
• Leaving surgical instruments or sponges inside the body

If any of these errors have happened to you or someone you care about, it’s critical to speak with a qualified Riverside surgical error lawyer as soon as possible.

The Devastating Impact of Surgical Errors

Surgical mistakes can result in catastrophic injuries and even loss of life. Victims may experience:

• Chronic pain
• Organ failure
• Disability or paralysis
• Reproductive issues
• Emotional trauma
• Financial ruin from medical bills and lost income

In some tragic cases, families are left to mourn the wrongful death of a loved one while also dealing with the stress of funeral expenses and lost future support.

What Compensation Can I Recover?

When pursuing a surgical error claim in Riverside, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. These may include:

• Current and future medical bills
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium for spouses and families

In cases that involve gross negligence or reckless misconduct, punitive damages could be awarded as a way to punish the wrongdoer and deter any similar behavior.

Statewide Surgical Error Statistics

A study examining surgical errors in California reported 142 such incidents over a specific period, equating to approximately one event per 200,000 operations. The most common errors included:

• 66.2% retained foreign objects
• 15.5% wrong-site or wrong-patient surgeries
• 7.7% surgical burns

Notable Surgical Errors in Riverside

In Riverside, California, while comprehensive local statistics are limited, several notable cases and general data provide insight into the occurrence and prevention of such events.

• Riverside Community Hospital: In 2009, a 14-centimeter metal clamp was inadvertently left inside a patient’s abdomen during surgery. This oversight led to a state investigation, which identified failures in surgical instrument counting protocols, posing significant risks to patient safety.
• Parkview Community Hospital: In a separate incident, a surgeon removed the wrong kidney from a patient. Contributing factors included the surgeon lacking proper privileges for the procedure and inadequate informed consent processes, especially concerning language barriers.

California Laws Affecting Your Case

California has specific legal rules governing medical malpractice cases. For instance, the statute of limitations for most of these cases is either one year from the day you discovered the injury or three years from the day of the surgical error. There is also a damage cap for medical malpractice cases. Lastly, California law requires plaintiffs to present testimony to prove a surgical error breached the standard of care.

Get Legal Help Today.

Our experienced surgical errors lawyers are here to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call us at: (619)238-3813

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FAQs

Can You File a Claim for a Surgery Gone Wrong?

Yes, you can file a claim for a surgery gone wrong if it resulted from medical malpractice. To file a claim, you must prove the surgeon breached the standard of care and caused injury or harm. Common issues include surgical errors, infections, or anesthesia problems. Consulting with a surgical error attorney to evaluate your case and determine if legal action is appropriate based on specific circumstances is always advised.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim Against a Doctor After Surgery in California?

In California, you generally have one year from the date you discovered the injury to file a claim against a doctor for medical malpractice after surgery. However, the absolute deadline is three years from the day of the surgery, regardless of when you discovered the harm.

Exceptions could apply, such as in cases involving fraud or a foreign object left inside the body. You should always consult with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.

How Hard Is It to Prove Medical Malpractice?

Proving medical malpractice is challenging. It requires demonstrating a doctor-patient relationship, that the professional breached the standard of care, and that this directly caused injury. Professional testimony is usually necessary. Legal procedures are complex, and defendants often have strong legal teams. Each case demands clear evidence and documentation to succeed in court.

How Much Do Surgical Errors Cost?

Surgical errors carry immense financial and emotional costs. Patients often face extended hospital stays, additional treatments, or long-term care. Families may lose income due to missed work or permanent disability. Healthcare providers take on legal fees, insurance claims, and reputational damage. Overall, these errors strain the entire healthcare system, increasing costs and reducing trust in medical services.

Contact Us Today

A surgical error can shake your trust in the medical system, but you don’t have to face this challenge alone. At Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, we are committed to fighting for justice, accountability, and full compensation for our clients. If you or someone you love was injured during surgery, contact our Riverside surgical error lawyers today for a free consultation.