When can wrong-site surgery be fatal?

Any patient’s worst nightmare when entering surgery is that the surgeon might operate on the wrong site, or even perform the wrong procedure altogether. While relatively rare, wrong-site surgery can occur as a result of negligence and possibly result in death.

Your Florida medical malpractice claim can get you the compensation you deserve if you become the victim of a surgical error or if a wrongful death occurs in your family as a result of wrong-site surgery. Some surgical errors are treatable, but it is important to know when a wrong-site surgery can have fatal implications.

When the surgical error goes unnoticed

If a mistake occurs during surgery, medical professionals have a moral obligation to notify the patient as soon as possible. Should the error go unnoticed for an extended period of time, however, the situation can worsen dramatically. Whether the patient’s original condition remains untreated or if a medical implement remains in the body, the patient may experience pain and discomfort until things take a tragically unfortunate turn.

When the surgical error is irreversible

Certain implications of a wrong-site surgery are irreversible and can become a constant source of physical trauma for the patient. For example, causing permanent damage to an organ unrelated to the intended surgery will affect someone for the rest of their life. In some cases, the exertion that the body must undergo to compensate for such internal damage can lead to an untimely death.

Mistakes can happen to anyone, but medical professionals have a solemn duty to take every measure and precaution possible to eliminate the risk of a negligent surgical error. If a wrong-site surgery happens to you or a loved one, you have the right to pursue compensation for your pain and suffering.