Lawsuits for Surgical Instruments Left Inside Patients
Any time you go in for a medical treatment, medical professionals should approach your treatment with the utmost care and concern. It is a major part of their duty to make sure that you are well cared for and not harmed in the process. And yet, there are times when medical mistakes occur, and few are more grave than those that are made while in the operating room. Our team of experienced Provo medical malpractice attorneys would like to take this opportunity to look at one serious kind of surgical mistake that may be the worst kind of negligence.
Serious Surgical Mistakes
Surgical mistakes can take many different forms, such as anesthetic errors, operating on the wrong organ, unnecessary amputation, or problems with sutures. One of the doctor and surgeon mistakes that surprises many of our patients involves surgical instruments being left inside of the patient. Whatever the object, it is completely unprofessional and a strong ground on which to pursue a legal claim.
Recently in Germany, doctors reportedly left 16 different instruments inside of a patient's body. That is an inexcusable and unfathomable mistake.
Types of Surgical Instruments That Can Be Left in the Body
Some of the surgical instruments that are commonly left inside patients include:
- Scalpels
- Forceps
- Clamps
- Tweezers
- Sponges
- Towels
- Tubing
- Syringes
- Scissors
- Scopes
- Measuring devices
Why These Types of Surgical Mistakes Are So Serious
When a foreign object is left inside of your body, serious injuries can occur. This is particularly true of any metal instruments left inside of the body after surgery, which can cut or puncture internal organs and result in internal bleeding. Other objects may cause pain and discomfort or lead to infections within your body.
Sponges and towels are particularly problematic. During x-rays and check-ups, they may appear to be tumors, cancers, or other abnormal growths. Sometimes this can go undetected for months or even years. Should you notice undue discomfort in the surgery site as you recover, be sure to inform your medical professional as soon as possible so that the matter can be checked.
What Our Legal Team Can Do for You
No matter the surgical instrument and no matter the injury sustained, you need to speak with our medical malpractice lawyers in Salt Lake City right away if you have been the victim of this kind of surgical negligence.
When you come to our law firm following a serious surgical mistake, we will be sure to pursue compensation for your suffering. We will also be sure to punish the medical professional and/or the associated hospital for this level of negligent care. Provo medical negligence settlements will thus allow clients to achieve peace of mind while also ensuring that this kind of negligent behavior does not happen again.
Should you lose your loved one as a result of the surgical error, our legal team will help you cover the funerary costs associated with the tragic loss. We will also seek damages to cover the emotional hardship caused by the death. Though this will not be able to replace your loss, it does help many families and loved ones feel like justice was served and the guilty party was held responsible.
Learn More About Your Legal Rights
For more information about medical negligence litigation and how our legal team can help you get the help that you need, be sure to contact our Salt Lake City medical malpractice lawyers today. Our entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve peace of mind.
