D'Amore Personal Injury Law, LLC
Serious Injury Lawyers Proudly Serving
Baltimore, Annapolis, & Washington, D.C.
Wrong-Site Surgeries
Wrong-site surgical errors are a form of medical malpractice that can lead to serious harm
According to reputable estimates, wrong-site surgery occurs roughly once out of every 100,000 surgeries. Wrong-site surgical errors are a form of medical malpractice that can lead to serious harm and even death for affected patients.
When a patient undergoes surgery, they expect the surgeon to perform the procedure on the correct body part and to ensure it is performed well. Unfortunately, mistakes do happen, resulting in wrong-site surgical errors. Although everyone makes mistakes, wrong-site surgery is considered a “never event.” This means that this kind of mistake is – almost without exception – never acceptable. If you’re the victim of a wrong-site surgical error, know that you have the right to seek justice.
Medical Laws & Regulations
In Maryland and Washington, D.C. wrong-site surgical errors can be extremely costly for patients. When a doctor makes a wrong-site surgical error and causes harm to a patient, the provider and the hospital may be held liable for any resulting damages.
To prevent such mistakes from happening, there are specific regulations in place that require doctors and hospitals to take specific steps before performing any surgical procedure. A violation of these regulations may serve as evidence in favor of the plaintiff’s case. Before most surgical procedures, the following steps must be taken to mitigate the risk of wrong-site errors.
• Informed Consent
The first step involves obtaining informed consent from the patient. Informed consent confirms that the patient understands the nature of the procedure being performed and the risks involved with it.
• Site Marking
The second step involves ensuring that all parts of the patient’s body are correctly marked before surgery begins so that there is no confusion about what area should be operated on. It’s essential for doctors and nurses to verbally confirm with each other during the process that they are operating on the correct part of the patient’s body.
• Double Checking
Finally, medical institutions must have protocols for double-checking instruments and medications used during surgery. They should also have protocols for implementing timeouts before beginning an operation or making any changes during an ongoing surgery to ensure accuracy when providing proper care for patients.
Medical Negligence
When these procedures are not followed, and a wrong-site surgical error occurs, victims can file a medical malpractice lawsuit against their doctor or hospital. Victims can seek compensation for resulting damages such as pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages due to time away from work recovering from their injuries, emotional distress caused by their experience, and additional losses resulting from their injuries.
Learn about what to do after a Medical Malpractice Injury in our FREE guide.
Wrong-Site Surgical Errors in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
If you or a loved one were harmed because of a wrong site surgery, you may have a case for medical malpractice. The skilled attorneys at D’Amore Personal Injury Law will provide you with a free evaluation of your case and advise you of your legal rights. There are never any out-of-pocket costs to you unless they win your case. Reach out today at 410-324-2000 to schedule a free consultation.
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