In 2025, the ex-professional soccer player Jake Gleeson won a $20.6 million medical malpractice verdict when his surgeon operated upon him with shin implants that had never been properly sterilized. The contaminated implants caused a severe infection that ended Gleeson’s athletic career.
According to a surgical error lawyer in Carlsbad, healthcare professionals must follow the appropriate care during surgery. Failing to do so can have catastrophic consequences. Errors such as surgery at the wrong site or retained instruments emerge from usually inadequate communication and a poorly set process.
Such events erode patient trust and are sometimes fatal. Doctors and medical practitioners must comprehend not only the errors but also the causes as a way of enhancing healthcare.
Let’s look at the surgical errors that could lead to malpractice lawsuits and the ways to make sure similar incidents will not happen again in the future.
Wrong-Site Surgery
According to medication error lawyer F. William (Will) DeVore IV, health care professionals can make medication mistakes in many ways. One such example is performing an operation on the wrong site, which implies an error on the part of the surgeons. This unfortunate outcome will erode any patient trust that exists and can irreparably damage the reputation of a healthcare entity. The reasons tend to vary, but most are because of miscommunication or lack of protocols.
You are entitled to be treated with care, respect, and kindness in addition to receiving treatment. Being aware of the situation will greatly decrease the chances of any reported cases. Teamwork and responsibility in the hospital environment are essential for providing the right care to patients consistently.
Surgical Instrument Retention
Surgical instrument retention remains a critical concern in surgical error cases. Foreign objects, such as sponges or instruments, may sometimes be left behind following a surgical operation. Surgical instrument retention threatens to ruin lives in expensive malpractice lawsuits.
These kinds of errors can be prevented when surgical teams have good communication and strict counting procedures put in place.
The culture of accountability and teamwork should be created for each member of the healthcare team to openly assert his role in the overall safety of patient care. Healthcare professionals should work towards eliminating all these kinds of risks during surgery.
Anesthesia Errors
Despite being the key component of modern surgery, anesthesiology presents lengthy challenges, some of which can end up with grave consequences.
A patient might expect their anesthesiologist to regard their nature signs and to administer appropriate medication. But sometimes, anesthesia errors do occur. An anesthesia-related mistake could be administering medicine in an excess or insufficiency according to what the patient needed. These mishaps give rise to dire consequences, such as brain damage and even death.
One feels confident having support during such times. You are not alone if unfortunate circumstances have befallen you or your loved one as a consequence of anesthesia-related injuries. Many similar cases exist, and doing research on your rights will grant you such empowerment. Obtaining a legal opinion may be your first step to justice and recovery.
Inadequate Preoperative Assessment
Before surgery, a preoperative assessment should be conducted to assess your safety during and after the procedure. This process also minimizes any arising complications.
The procedure identifies any hidden or underlying issues you might have. it also identifies any allergies or medicines that you might carry that may interfere with your procedure.
If your medical team overlooks this, serious problems could develop during or post-operation, and this would pave the way for a possible malpractice suit.
You need a complete evaluation, after which your concerns can be answered. Open communication brings about trust within your medical team, and you’ll be informed about the risks associated with the procedure.
Going ahead with your preoperative assessment could make a huge difference in the overall success of the surgical procedure. The assessment provides you with peace of mind as you undergo the surgery process. wherever you go.
Postoperative Complications Due to Negligence
Postoperative complications might also arise all of a sudden, especially when involved with negligence of your care. Improper monitoring or lack of follow-up can cause infections, heavy bleeding, or even organ damage.
The different complications mean a very long recovery, more surgeries, or more days of chronic pain, which is very isolating and frustrating. You need to support yourself so you feel that way during such hard times.
You are worthy of all care that considers not only your physical but also your mental health and overall well-being.
Remember, there is an entire community of people who share your experience and who can work together to advocate for improved care or to take some measure of justice against those responsible.