When we go to the doctor, it’s because we don’t feel well. We trust that they’ll do what it takes to make us better. Sometimes, this means they diagnose us with a condition that requires surgery. Other times, all they have to do is prescribe us with an antibiotic and we’ll be as good as new. We shouldn’t have to worry that our doctor or surgeon will do something to make us worse. Sadly, surgical errors happen to thousands of people every year. A surgeon makes a simple (or major) mistake and we end up in much worse shape than we were before we ever visited the doctor. When surgical errors happen, you need to call and talk to an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Macon, Georgia.
Most of the time, you’ll have surgery, and nothing will go wrong. You’ll recover from your surgery and be back to normal in no time at all. But when something goes wrong during surgery, it can have devastating effects on your life. You may end up permanently disabled or paralyzed. Or, if you have surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and it’s not done right, you can end up dying from your illness. Nobody wants to think that this could happen. But if it does, it’s important to know where to turn.
Your injury lawyer in Georgia can help you file a claim against your surgeon’s malpractice insurance policy. If you’re lucky, it will be approved, and you’ll receive your check in a few weeks or months. If your claim is denied, it’s a whole different story. You’ll need to file an appeal first. If this doesn’t work, your attorney may have no choice but to file a medical malpractice lawsuit on your behalf.
Common Types of Surgical Errors
As mentioned above, thousands of people are hurt every year as a result of surgical errors. Some of these are more common than others. These include:
- The surgeon leaves some sort of foreign object inside your body – This could include anything from a surgical sponge to a piece of jewelry. Depending on the object, you may need to undergo a second surgery to remove it. Or, if they don’t discover it until much later, you may end up with a serious or life-threatening infection.
- They operate on the wrong body part – It is hard to imagine, but, sometimes, a surgeon may operate on the wrong part of your body. For example, they operate on your left shoulder instead of your right one. If this happens, you’ll need to undergo the correct surgery. This could lead to a much longer recovery time or even permanent disability. You’re entitled to damages for these sorts of things.
- They perform the wrong procedure all together – You may need a minor surgery on your hand, and, for some reason, the surgeon amputates it. Or maybe something goes wrong during surgery for one thing and your doctor performs an additional procedure that wasn’t authorized.
- Negative reaction to anesthesia – Here, we aren’t referring to minor discomfort that is associated with most forms of general anesthesia. We are referring to serious reactions, such as when too much anesthesia is administered. This can cause brain damage, cardiac issues or any other sort of problem.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Expert in Macon, Georgia
If you suffer any sort of injury or error during surgery, you may have a claim for damages. Most of the time, your doctor’s malpractice insurance will cover any damages you experience. But if your claim is denied, or if the doctor’s policy wasn’t valid, then you’re going to need a local personal injury lawyer in Macon, Georgia.
Your attorney will make sure all of the necessary parties are named in the lawsuit. And they’ll continue to try to settle your case at every turn. Nobody wants to go to trial – especially in a medical malpractice case. These cases are very expensive to try. They require medical experts and investigators. They can take years before they’re resolved. You can’t wait that long to get your money. And you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars in legal fees if you don’t have to. This is why your Macon personal injury attorney will work hard to settle your case rather than go to trial.
Call our office today and schedule your free initial consultation. Let an experienced lawyer review your case and give you an idea of what it may be worth. They can also work hard to settle your case while you focus on getting better.
