It is one of the worries often at the forefront of a patient’s mind as they prepare to undergo surgery. What happens if something goes wrong? Many of New York’s doctors and nurses go to great lengths to ensure that their patients receive the best care they can provide. Unfortunately, long hours and a stressful working environment can make even experienced medical staff prone to mistakes.
We saw the potential repercussions of such mistakes in a previous post, when the wrong kidney was removed from a cancer patient. Sadly, when surgical errors occur, it is usually the patient that suffers the consequences. But what can you do? Medical malpractice could leave you with life-changing injuries or even permanent disabilities.
You may face the cost of long-term care, not to mention a loss of wages, if your injuries leave you unable to work. Furthermore, all this is on top of the medical bills you may already be facing for the treatment that did you harm. You may consider filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, but it is important to establish the facts surrounding your injury.
Not every error or complication gives you grounds to make a claim. Nevertheless, medical professionals are held to specific standards of care to which they are expected to adhere. If your injuries resulted from a failure to follow the correct practices, you might have a case.
No one should have to suffer the consequences of another person’s negligence, but it is a distressingly common occurrence. If you would like to know more about the options available to you in the wake of such injuries, our page on surgical errors may be able to provide the answers and guidance you need.
