Surgery can be life-saving, and all surgery carries some risk. However, surgical errors are something different from the known risks of surgery to which patients consent. Surgical errors are mistakes with a variety of causes, including poor training; fatigue; poor communication; drug or alcohol abuse; insufficient preparation for surgery, and more.
Common surgical errors include nerve injuries, severing an artery, leaving a sponge or other material inside a patient, and operating on the wrong site or even the wrong patient. Anesthesia errors, in which too much, too little, or the wrong type of anesthesia is administered, are also common.
It's not an exaggeration to say that surgical errors lead to death, disability, and a host of other negative outcomes. Patients injured by surgical errors often require extended recovery time and may experience permanent loss of function. Not every negative outcome is the result of a surgical error, of course, but if a surgeon failed to observe the standard of care accepted in the profession or specialty, made a mistake, and a patient was injured, the surgeon has committed medical malpractice.
Victims of surgical error frequently describe their situation as a nightmare, an apt description. It can feel like a bad dream to submit to treatment that is supposed to improve your health, only to regain consciousness after surgery and discover that you have been made worse. At The Fraser Law Firm P.C., our mission is to help our clients, as much as possible, get back to the reality of life before their injury.
Because surgical error malpractice cases are so complex, many Oregon attorneys lack the experience or the resources needed to handle them. The Fraser Law Firm P.C. has extensive experience in all types of medical malpractice actions, including surgical error malpractice.
We know that a financial recovery is no substitute for one's health, but we also know that having financial burdens lifted can allow our clients to focus on what's really important to them: beginning to heal.
If you or a loved one has suffered injury due to the negligence of a surgeon or the surgical team, you may be entitled to financial compensation that can make things easier for you and your family. The Fraser Law Firm P.C. can help you evaluate the strength of your case, and will help you explore and pursue your legal options.
The Fraser Law Firm P.C. serves Portland and the surrounding areas, working with clients throughout Oregon. Contact us at (971) 266-8877. We look forward to working with you.