Did something unimaginable happen to you or someone you care deeply about? Maybe you went into surgery expecting relief and healing. Unfortunately, you may have awakened to realize the operation was done on the wrong part of your body. Maybe it was not even the surgery you needed.
Now, instead of moving forward, you’re left with more pain, more recovery, and more questions than answers.
You have suffered a medical mistake involving a wrong site surgery.
This is more than just a medical error; it could be a strong case for medical malpractice. Here is what you need to know about what are wrong site surgical errors, and what you can do about these egregious mistakes.
Errors Made During Surgery
Wrong site surgery is one of the most shocking medical mistakes that can happen. This includes surgeries performed on:
- The wrong body part
- The wrong side of the body
- The wrong person
Sometimes, it involves the wrong procedure performed on a patient. Hospitals call these “never events.” In theory, they should never happen. But the reality is that they do. We don’t even have the exact number of wrong site surgery errors since reporting is often voluntary, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
And when these mistakes happen to you, it changes everything.
How Could This Happen?
After something so serious, you might ask: How could this happen? Unfortunately, wrong site surgeries are not caused by one single mistake. They often occur because of a series of small breakdowns. These are mistakes that could have and should have been caught. They include:
Communication Failures
Surgeons, nurses, and staff may misunderstand or miscommunicate details. One person might assume another double-checked something. A chart might be read too quickly. In a fast-moving environment, even small oversights can snowball into big mistakes.
Skipping Protocol
Hospitals must follow very specific safety steps before surgery, like confirming your identity, marking the surgical site, and taking a final check to make sure everyone is on the same page. But when these steps are rushed or skipped, it opens the door for error.
Bad or Missing Documentation
If your medical records are not accurate, clear, or complete, that could have led to confusion about what was supposed to happen in the operating room. Sometimes, the paperwork itself is the root of the problem.
Staff Fatigue or Distraction
Medical professionals work long hours. Exhaustion and distractions are real and dangerous. Even the most experienced surgeons can make a mistake when they are overtired or under pressure.
Not Being Included in the Process
Sometimes, patients are not even asked to confirm the procedure or surgical site. That’s a missed opportunity to catch a mistake before it happens, and it leaves you out of a decision that’s being made about your body.
Can You File a Medical Malpractice Claim?
In most cases, yes. If you were the victim of a wrong site surgery, you likely have a strong case for medical malpractice. These mistakes are not defensible. To file a claim, your legal team will need to show:
- You had a patient-doctor relationship. This is known as a duty of care
- That duty was breached by failing to meet accepted medical standards
- You suffered harm as a result of that breach
You do not have to figure this out by yourself. A skilled lawyer can walk you through every step and help build a strong case on your behalf.
What Should You Do Next?
If you’re thinking about taking legal action, there are a few steps you can take now to protect yourself and your case:
- Request your medical records: This documentation will be important to show what went wrong and who may be responsible.
- Write down everything: You need to document dates, names, conversations, and symptoms. Remember that details fade with time, so you will want to capture them now.
- Talk to a medical malpractice attorney: You don’t want to wait. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you can protect your rights and know your options.
A wrong site surgery can shake your faith in the entire medical system. But you do not want it to define your future. You have every right to demand answers, accountability, and justice.
If you’re ready to talk about what happened and want to know your options, Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC is here to help.
We will guide you with compassion, fight for your rights, and make sure your voice is heard. Reach out to see how we can take the next steps for your claim.
