Phoenix Surgical Error Lawyers

Surgical Malpractice & Your Right to Compensation

One of the most frightening forms of medical malpractice occurs in the operating room. Errors during surgery can easily kill, maim, or critically injure the patient. There is no such thing as a “minor mistake” during a life-changing surgery.

Surgeons, support nurses, anesthesiologists, and other staff members in the operating room must work with the utmost care and caution. If they do not, patients may pay the ultimate price.

At Cullan & Cullan, we represent clients across Arizona who have suffered harm due to surgical errors. As Phoenix surgical malpractice attorneys, we are committed to setting things right again by holding at-fault surgeons and other healthcare professionals accountable for their wrongdoing.

Because our principal attorneys also hold medical degrees, we are qualified to handle these technical, complex claims.

Contact our firm at (602) 397-7600 for a free review of your surgery malpractice claim in Arizona.

Types of Surgical Errors Caused by Negligence

Here are a few common types of surgical errors that may arise due to negligence:

• Poor pre- or post-operative care. Undergoing a surgery takes a major toll on the body. It is up to the medical staff to properly prepare the patient prior to the surgery, as well as to care for the incision site afterward. Negligence can result in surgical complications, infections, and other adverse situations.
• Too much or too little anesthesia. Too much can cause brain damage, while too little can cause anesthesia awareness – a traumatic experience in which the patient is aware of the surgery but cannot move or speak.
• Mistakes during surgery. An incompetent, distracted, intoxicated, or otherwise unfit surgeon can make mistakes that seriously harm or even kill the patient. If the surgeon does something that a reasonable and prudent professional would not have in the same situation, resulting in patient harm, he or she may be guilty of malpractice.
• Lack of informed consent. A patient should be properly informed of all the risks and benefits that a surgical procedure may offer, so he or she can give informed consent. A failure to get informed consent may be a form of malpractice.

Accidentally nicking an artery can lead to bleeding or preventable health complications. Failing to properly maintain a sterile environment can cause fatal infections. Leaving a sponge inside the body cavity can cause serious problems months or years later.

If you or a loved one sustained injury, illness, or died after surgery and you suspect malpractice, seek experienced counsel.

Wrong-Site Surgery

Defined as surgery on the wrong body part, patient, or side of the body, wrong-site surgery is considered to be a medical “never event” by health practitioners. That means you may be able to pursue compensation and hold the surgeon accountable if you’ve suffered from injuries and complications related to wrong-site surgery.

Whether you endure an unnecessary operation or undergo surgery for the wrong body part, wrong-site surgery is a deeply traumatic experience for patients.

Any of the following may be considered a wrong-site surgical incident:

• An operation or implant on the wrong limb
• An operation on an incorrect organ
• An operation on the wrong side of the body
• An operation performed on the wrong patient

In most cases, wrong-site surgery is a direct result of inattention and negligence on the part of the surgeon and medical staff.

How Common Is Wrong-Site Surgery?

Wrong-site surgery events are relatively rare, but experts believe it is still the fourth most common medical "never event," with as many as 50 wrong-site incidents reported each week. Additionally, researchers estimate that only 10% of wrong-site surgery events are even reported.

How Do I File a Claim?

Pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Arizona may be complicated, but with an experienced lawyer, you can work to secure fair financial compensation for your losses. Upon discovering a surgical error, it is extremely important that you contact an Arizona surgical mistake attorney at Cullan & Cullan as soon as possible.

In some circumstances, you have a very short period of time to file a notice of claim for your injury. This can be as little as six months in Arizona, depending upon the facts of the case and where the negligence occurred. This is why it’s crucial to secure the representation of a lawyer at the earliest stages of the legal process.

A qualified lawyer can investigate your claim, put together a comprehensive case strategy, and help you identify expert medical witnesses. At Cullan & Cullan, our caring doctor-lawyers understand the gravity of surgical errors, and we are committed to helping victims of negligence recover the financial resources they deserve.

Contact our Phoenix surgical error attorneys at Cullan & Cullan today at (602) 397-7600 to see how we can help.