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Surgical Malpractice

Surgical Malpractice Attorneys

Even the most routine surgery carries a certain degree of risk. Even when a highly skilled surgeon performs your procedure under the best medical conditions possible, unforeseen complications or adverse reactions may occur. However, when a preventable error by a doctor, nurse or other health care provider occurs during a surgical procedure and leads to illness or injury, the patient may have suffered from surgical malpractice.

A 2008 study by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that one of every 10 patients who died within 90 days of surgery did so because of a preventable error, and that one-third of the deaths occurred after the initial hospital discharge. Potentially preventable medical errors that occur during and after surgery cost employers nearly $1.5 billion a year, the study estimated.

Surgical malpractice can be caused by a number of factors, such as poor patient monitoring or failure to follow proper procedures in the operating room. There are several different types of surgical malpractice, which vary depending upon how and why the mistake was made.

  • Pre-Operative Malpractice. Pre-operative care is what helps prepare the patient for surgery, and can include diet modifications, medication, specific medical instructions, and other steps necessary to ensure a smooth surgical procedure. When these important steps are skipped, the patient may not be adequately prepared for surgery and dangerous complications may occur.
  • Post-Operative Malpractice. Following surgery, patients must be closely monitored, because any surgical procedure carries risks of serious complications. When patients are not adequately treated and observed after surgery, injury and illness can develop, including blood clots, internal bleeding and heart problems.
  • Surgical Complications. Virtually all surgeries have the potential to cause complications; in fact, doctors should forewarn you of any known complications prior to surgery. Others may arise unexpectedly with no warning signs. Some complications are caused by serious error or negligence.
  • Anesthesia Malpractice. Anesthesia is administered during surgery to prevent the patient from feeling pain, and, when given correctly, is relatively safe. However, errors in dosage or type of anesthesia can have very serious complications, including nerve damage, heart attack or stroke.
  • Organ Puncture / Perforation. Organ puncture or perforation occurs when a surgical instrument unintentionally pierces an organ during a procedure. The repercussions can be dangerous and deadly, leading to organ damage and long-term health problems.

If you have concerns about the results of your surgery, please contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for a free, no-obligation consultation at 877.420.1269. Please keep in mind that there are strict deadlines for filing medical malpractice actions. The statute of limitations may be running on your claim, so time is of the essence. A medical malpractice attorney with experience in surgical malpractice claims can evaluate the circumstances of your injury or illness. A lawyer will work with accredited medical experts to evaluate whether healthcare standards were met and provide you with your legal options.

For nearly three decades, the attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. have represented medical malpractice victims across Illinois, including but not limited to Chicago, Lake County, Cook County, Aurora, Rockford, Naperville, Joliet, Springfield, North Peoria, Peoria, Elgin, Waukegan, DuPage County, Will County, Kane County, Winnebago County, McHenry County, Madison County, and St. Clair County.