Even the most skilled surgeons can make mistakes, but certain errors are considered so egregious that they are labeled as “never events”. As the name implies, such medical occurrences should never happen under any circumstances. When a medical professional commits such an error, you likely have a strong case for medical malpractice.

If you or someone you care about is the victim of wrong site surgery malpractice in St. Louis, you should seek the advice of our experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Zevan Murphy, LLC. We can thoroughly review your medical records to determine who is liable for your injuries and offer personalized guidance. Our team has over 25 years of experience, and we take an aggressive approach to every case to give our clients the best chance of securing full compensation.

Wrong Site Surgeries Occur in Various Ways

Every wrong site surgery is different, but they all have one thing in common: the potential for serious injuries. Whether a surgeon operated on the wrong side of your body or performed a completely different procedure than you consented to, you can suffer extensive damage that can change your life forever. If a surgeon’s negligence led to you being operated on incorrectly in St. Louis, our skilled attorneys can help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.

The Key Elements of Surgical Negligence

Every case involving a surgical site error is as serious as it is specific to the circumstances. To bring a successful claim, however, certain elements must apply.

Duty of Care

You must show that your surgeon owed you a duty of care. This refers to a responsibility to your health and safety that every medical professional owes every patient.

Breach of Duty

You must show your surgeon failed to meet the standard of care. This means taking an action—or failing to take an action—that their professional peers would not have under similar circumstances. This amounts to professional negligence, and it is generally a straightforward matter in cases involving wrong site surgeries.

Damages

You must demonstrate that the breach of duty caused your injuries, and that you experienced losses as a result.

While this might seem straightforward, proving these legal concepts can be challenging. Our St. Louis attorneys can advise you and help you navigate the complexities of a surgical malpractice case and optimize your chances of recovering damages from a negligent operation.

What Are the Potential Damages for Wrong Site Surgery?

A surgical site error can cause you serious health concerns. Not only did you receive a surgery you did not need or consent to, but you also were deprived of the procedure you did need for your medical condition. This major error may require you to undergo additional operations and extended hospital stays.

Some losses you can pursue compensation for include:

  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Physical pain from unnecessary procedures
  • Mental trauma from undergoing the wrong surgery
  • Lost income due to extended hospitalization and delayed recovery
  • Wrongful death if the surgical error led to the loss of a family member
  • All medical bills for surgeries, intensive care treatment, hospital stays, and medications

The extent of the harm depends on the surgery performed, your tolerance of the procedure, any physical or mental health complications, and how long you must wait for the correct surgery. Our knowledgeable malpractice attorneys can accurately assess your damages if you underwent a wrong site surgery in St. Louis.

The Most Common Causes of Wrong Site Surgeries

While every case is unique, some common causes of preventable surgical site errors include:

  • Inadequate verification before surgery
  • Inadequate hospital policies and procedures
  • Distracted or fatigued surgical team members
  • Failure to clearly mark the intended surgical site
  • Poor communication with patients and family members
  • Failure to conduct the mandatory pre-surgery verification process
  • Failure to follow medical protocols, including universal protocols for preventing wrong site surgeries

If you have been harmed by any of these preventable mistakes, our attorneys at Zevan Murphy, LLC can assist you in pursuing a surgical site error negligence claim in St. Louis.

Call Our St. Louis Lawyers To Discuss a Wrong Site Surgery Malpractice Claim

At Zevan Murphy, LLC, we are dedicated to helping clients like you who have suffered serious harm as a result of medical negligence. Attorneys know that we have a long-standing reputation in the medical malpractice community, so you trust us to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact our seasoned attorneys for help pursuing a claim for wrong site surgery malpractice in St. Louis.