One common example of medical malpractice is wrong-site surgery. This can be very expensive for the patient, it can lead to extensive harm and it could even create a long-term disability. It’s one of the most severe mistakes that medical professionals can make.
But it can happen in a number of different ways. Below are three examples of how it could take place to help those who believe they have experienced wrong-site surgery understand how it occurs. They may have options to seek financial compensation.
Operating on the wrong side
First of all, if a surgeon carries out an operation on the wrong side of a person’s body, it can create severe complications. For example, someone may need to have their left leg amputated, but the surgeon could amputate the right leg instead. This could create a life-long disability that was entirely avoidable.
Operating on the wrong patient
Sometimes the correct site for the surgery is on another person altogether. For example, there have been cases where surgeons confused two patients that had similar names. This meant that the surgeon carried out heart surgery on a patient who didn’t need it at all – and neglected to do the proper surgery on the patient who did.
Operating at the wrong level
With spinal cord injuries, a common issue is that the team operates at the wrong level on the spine. This means that they don’t correct the actual spinal cord injury, which may be higher or lower, and that they could create additional injuries and complications. A severe spinal cord injury can change the course of a person’s life.
Have you been harmed by medical malpractice, such as wrong-site surgery? Take the time to look into all of your legal options to seek compensation.