Surgeons undergo years of specialized training to ensure that they have the skills and experience necessary to do their jobs safely and effectively. They hold one of the most sacred and delicate jobs in society today, and luckily, most surgeons devote the necessary amount of care and attention to their work. Doctors who do this will reduce or eliminate the chances of preventable accidents from occurring.
Unfortunately, not all medical professionals devote such care and attention to their work. Studies show that there are 225,000 deaths every year due to negligence on the part of health care professionals. In fact, medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States, following heart disease and cancer.
Surgical malpractice is an especially dangerous area of health care because of the nature of the job. Surgeons perform a number of different, highly-specialized procedures daily, and the difference between the life and death of a patient can literally depend on a flick of the wrist.
Types of Surgical Errors
There are a number of things that can go wrong during a surgery that could have been prevented by a surgeon. These mistakes can lead to serious injury or even death in a patient. Examples of common surgical errors include:
- Wrong site surgery
- Incorrect procedures
- Mishandling of surgical instruments
- Foreign objects left inside a body cavity
- Surgery on the wrong patient
- Improper suturing
- Post-surgical complications
With all of these possible surgical errors, it is imperative that surgeons devote themselves to their work diligently so that these preventable mistakes do not endanger the well-being of their patients.
Speak with a Minneapolis Surgical Malpractice Attorney
If you or someone you know has been injured due to surgical errors, contact the Minneapolis surgical malpractice lawyer of Terry, Slane & Ruohonen, P.L.L.C. today at 612-362-0000.
