When patients go into surgery, they deserve to trust and rely on their medical team to care for them at their most vulnerable. Unfortunately, negligence can occur in the operating room, resulting in the patient getting unnecessarily injured when they are unable to defend themselves. If you or someone you love has experienced this type of negligence, reach out to an experienced medical malpractice attorney to explain your legal rights and options available under Pennsylvania law.
Common Examples of Surgical Medical Negligence
Hospital negligence in the operating room occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care during surgery. While all surgeries carry inherent risks, negligence goes beyond expected complications and involves a breach of duty that directly causes harm to the patient.
Signs that you may have a potential claim often appear after the procedure. These red flags can include:
- Unexpected complications. If you wake up from surgery with severe abdominal pain and the surgical team cannot explain it, it may be an indicator that negligent acts occurred in the operating room.
- Worsening health conditions after surgery. If you had knee replacement surgery and develop swelling and a fever, it could be a sign that something went wrong during the operation. You and your attorney can work to recover evidence to prove negligence, such as contamination in the operating room leading to your surgical infection.
- Being told that an unusual error occurred during the operation. If you wake up after surgery and are told that there was an anesthesia dosage issue, but the staff avoids clearly explaining what went wrong, it could be a sign of malpractice.
- Being told that additional surgeries are needed. If you wake up after a spinal procedure and your surgeon informs you that a second operation is required because nerves were unintentionally damaged during the first surgery, it could be a valid reason to file a malpractice claim.
- The recovery process is significantly more difficult than what was originally explained. If you underwent appendix removal surgery and were told you should recover in a few weeks, but instead suffer pain for months, it could be a result of surgical negligence.
- Medical records showing inconsistencies. If you request copies of your surgical records and notice the operative report says no complications occurred, while nursing notes mention emergency interventions during the procedure, it could be a sign that the hospital is attempting to hide malpractice.
If you suspect operating room negligence, it is important to seek legal counsel to understand the next steps to protect your legal rights.
Don’t Wait to Contact Experienced Harrisburg Medical Malpractice Lawyers
If you suffered serious injuries during surgery, waiting too long to seek legal guidance could put your rights at risk. Medical malpractice claims are subject to strict deadlines, and relevant evidence can become harder to secure as time passes. The attorneys at Marzella & Associates can review your case and help you pursue compensation. Contact Marzella & Associates today online or by calling 717-234-7828. We offer free case evaluations to clients residing in Harrisburg, Hanover, Lancaster, and surrounding Pennsylvania towns.