Mistakes During Surgery (Never Events)
March 26, 2021
There are some mistakes that can happen during surgery that are known risks, such as nerve damage. But when mistakes during surgery are made that alter your life significantly, then you may be able to make a claim. This is especially true if the mistake that happened could have been avoided.
Avoidable Mistakes During Surgery
When a person is having surgery, there is a certain amount of risk naturally involved. However, there are some mistakes that should never be made. These mistakes are also commonly known as ‘never events’ and their effects can be devastating. Some of the most common surgical procedures where mistakes happen include:
- Hip replacement
- Spinal surgery
- Foot, ankle and knee surgery
- Fracture repairs
- Stomach and bowel surgery
- Cosmetic surgery
- Nerve injury during surgery
In these procedures, there are certain risks that are known risks of the surgery. Before the surgery, the surgeon should always make you aware of the risks that the surgery involves. They should also ask you to sign a consent form to say you have been told and understand the risks that the surgery involves.
However, there are still some mistakes during surgery that are not in the outlined risks and so should not happen. An example of this is if the mistake that happens leads to an unnecessary amputation. In this case you may be able to make a claim, as the amputation could have been avoided if no mistakes were made. Another example is a partial hysterectomy to only remove their uterus (possibly fallopian tubes also). Yet instead, there was the removal of their ovaries, leaving them completely infertile.
Claiming for Mistakes During Surgery
If a mistake has been made during surgery, then it can have a devastating effect. You may have to modify your home, or your lifestyle may change. This is where making a claim could be beneficial, as the compensation you receive can help to pay for adjustments that you may need to make to your home, car, or life.
Another factor that you may need to take into consideration is making a claim on behalf of someone else. Unfortunately, sometimes mistakes during surgery can be fatal. If this is the case, then a loved one may be able to make a claim on their behalf.
If you have had surgery in the last three years and there was a mistake during the surgery which has altered your life or caused you serious injury, then you may be able to make a claim. In an event where the mistake happened to a child during surgery, then their parents may make a claim on their behalf. This is especially true if the mistake was avoidable.
How We Can Help
Here at The Medical Negligence Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all manner of medical negligence claims. This includes mistakes during surgery. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138761 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.