Surgery is a big deal. Even a so-called “routine” operation can be stressful. You put a lot of faith in the hands of your medical providers.
Unfortunately, they do not always live up to this trust. The American College of Surgeons reports that there are approximately 4,000 “never-event” surgical errors nationwide each year. There are many more minor/moderate surgical mistakes. A surgical error may give rise to a medical malpractice claim. At Tittle & Perlmuter, we handle claims involving all types of surgical errors. Within this article, our Cleveland surgical error attorneys provide an overview of the most common types of errors in Ohio.
An Overview of the Most Common Surgical Errors
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia is powerful. It can make a major surgery bearable for the patient. It is also quite dangerous—unless it is handled with the proper professional care. Anesthesia errors occur when an anesthesiologist administers either too much, too little, or the wrong type of anesthesia during a surgical procedure. These errors can also include failing to recognize and respond to patient allergies or existing health conditions that could affect anesthesia efficacy. The consequences of such errors can range from temporary health complications to severe, long-term complications.
Why it Happens: The reasons behind anesthesia errors often stem from human error, communication failures, or systemic issues within a hospital’s operational protocols. For instance, an anesthesiologist might misjudge a patient’s dosage due to inadequate preoperative evaluation or oversight in reviewing the patient’s medical history for potential allergies or interactions.
Retained Surgical Option
Retained surgical instruments are a serious surgical error involving surgical items like sponges, needles, or instruments being inadvertently left inside a patient’s body after the procedure is completed. It is a “never event” that simply should not occur. It is also a very serious safety matter. A retained surgical object can lead to infections, internal damage, pain, and the need for additional surgeries to remove the forgotten items. In some cases, a patient may not realize that a foreign object was left within them for weeks, months, or even years.
Why it Happens: The underlying causes of retained surgical instruments typically include poor surgical team communication and procedural non-compliance. Rushed procedures, emergency contexts, or unexpected complications that divert the team’s attention can disrupt the standard counting protocols. Insufficient training can also be a cause of retained surgical objects.
Wrong Site-Surgery
Wrong site surgery involves performing a surgical procedure on the wrong part of the body or on the incorrect patient, an error that is both dangerous and preventable. Such errors can happen due to miscommunication, incorrect surgical planning, or failures in verifying the surgical site and patient identity before the operation begins. The impact of wrong site surgery can be catastrophic.
Why it Happens: The incorrect operation may be performed for a number of different reasons—and all of them are preventable with the proper care. Miscommunication among surgical teams and inadequate preoperative planning are significant factors. The failure to follow the “time-out” protocols—which are designed to double-check all details before the first incision—is a leading cause of wrong-site surgeries.
Rough Handling
Rough handling in surgery refers to the improper or harsh manipulation of tissues, organs, or bones during a procedure. Overly rough treatment by a surgeon, nurses, or other medical professional can lead to exacerbated trauma, extended recovery times, and sometimes permanent damage to the patient’s body. Surgeons must balance the need for decisive action with delicacy as required.
Why it Happens: In surgery, rough handling most often occurs due to a lack of skill, experience, or situational awareness by the surgical team. Inexperienced surgeons may not yet possess the finesse required for delicate operations. It can cause serious harm to a patient.
Surgical Errors in the Operating Room Require Immediate Attention
Surgery is a big deal. It is imperative that doctors, surgeons, and other health care professionals provide high quality care. A surgical mistake can cause serious harm to the patient. It could be an injury, an illness, a worsening medical condition, or other complications.
Patients who suffered the harm of a surgical error need immediate medical attention. It is crucial that you get the care you need to address the harm caused by the mistake in the operating room.
Recovering Compensation for a Surgical Error in Ohio
Were you the victim of a surgical error in Ohio? You have the right to seek compensation for the full value of your damages, including non-economic damages. Unfortunately, medical malpractice insurance companies are extremely aggressive. They want to pay out as little as possible to victims and their families. We fight for the maximum compensation for surgical error victims in Ohio. You may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Emergency room errors;
- Hospital bills;
- Medical expenses;
- Physical therapy;
- Loss of wages;
- Loss of future earnings;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Long-term disability; and
- Wrongful death.
Why Trust the Cleveland Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Tittle & Perlmuter
Medical malpractice claims are complicated—especially for surgical error cases. At Tittle & Perlmuter, we fight aggressively for justice for patients. Many surgery mistakes are “never events.” They are caused by negligence. Surgeons, hospitals, and other medical providers must be held accountable. You do not have to take on the claims process alone. Our client testimonials and case results tell the story best. Our Cleveland medical malpractice attorneys provide personalized, results-focused advocacy for victims and families. Initial consultations are free, fully confidential, and carry zero obligations.
Contact Our Cleveland Surgical Error Attorneys for a Free Case Review
At Tittle & Perlmuter, our Cleveland medical malpractice attorneys have the skills, knowledge, and expertise to take on all types of surgical error cases. If you or your loved one suffered serious harm due to a surgical mistake, we are more than ready to fight for justice and full financial compensation. Contact us right away for a free, no obligation initial consultation. With offices in Cleveland, Elyria, Sandusky, and Chardon, we handle surgical error claims throughout Ohio.
