Technology has made several surgical procedures safer than at any other time in history. Even so, no amount of technological advances can save an Illinois patient from surgical mistakes made by doctors, nurses and other medical staff. No surgical procedure is 100 percent risk free, but the risk should not come from the people to whom you entrust your life.
Even a seemingly small oversight such as failing to let you know about the risks associated with a procedure can cause injury to you. There have been cases where surgeons used instruments that were not sterile or left a foreign object — such as a surgical instrument or a sponge — in a patient’s body. These mistakes can cause infections, pain and the need for additional surgery to correct the problem.
It may seem incomprehensible that a surgeon could operate on the wrong body part, but it does happen. This means that another surgery will be necessary to correct the original problem and/or the mistake, if it can be corrected at all. For instance, if a surgeon removes the wrong kidney, the effects can be life threatening and cause you permanent damage. If any of these errors was made in a surgery that you or a family member underwent, you may need to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
The physical impact of surgical mistakes can be serious, or even deadly. The financial impact can be equally as devastating, even if you have medical insurance. Many malpractice insurance companies, hospitals and medical professionals will offer a quick settlement that may not be in your best interest. You are not obligated to accept such an offer and may be entitled to much more than they offer. You have the right to file a medical malpractice suit in an Illinois civil court seeking restitution for the damages you sustained as a result of surgical negligence that either injured you or took the life of your loved one.
