Why do surgical errors happen?

Even minor surgeries can go wrong, with devastating consequences to the victims.

Surgical errors are a form of medical malpractice, and in simple terms, they consist of preventable mistakes that arise during surgery. These errors extend beyond the known risks of surgery which you gave consent to before the surgery. They include:

• Injuring a nerve during surgery
• Administering too little or too much medication (anesthesia errors)
• Leaving a piece of surgical equipment inside the body, among others

If the mistake arose due to actions that fell below the medical standard of care and you were harmed, that may be malpractice. The standard of care can generally be defined as the level of care a prudent healthcare professional with similar training and experience would accord you under similar circumstances somewhere else.

Reasons for surgical errors

Since no two surgical procedures are the same, surgical errors may occur due to several reasons. Below are the common reasons why surgical mistakes happen:

• Incompetence by the operating doctor who either lacks the skill or experience to execute the surgery
• Fatigue on the doctor’s part
• Poor communication could lead to operating on the wrong patient or body part
• Not following the laid procedures during a surgery
• Insufficient preoperative planning may result in complications during the surgery

Are you a victim of a surgical error?

If you or your loved one are victims of surgical errors, it is important to take swift action against the responsible doctor or hospital. You are entitled to compensation for your injuries, and learning more about the laws that may affect your case will help you safeguard your rights.