Surgical Error Attorney in Maryland
Compassionate Guidance for Surgical Error Victims in Prince George's, Charles, Calvert & Anne Arundel Area
All surgeries, from the most common to the most complex, carry inherent risks. Before any procedure, the surgeon and staff should inform patients of possible complications and side effects. Beyond standard risks, sometimes a preventable mistake occurs that should never have happened. These errors may form the basis for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Surgical errors can result from communication breakdowns, inadequate preoperative planning, or failures during procedures. Surgeons, nurses, and other members of the medical team must follow strict protocols to prevent surgical errors. In Maryland, hospitals follow guidelines from the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Health Care Commission. Despite these measures, avoidable mistakes still happen, which is why understanding the expected standard of care in these settings is vital.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a surgical error, our surgical error lawyer at Potter Law, LLC can advocate for you. Let us support you during this challenging time and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our legal team at Potter Law, LLC handles surgical error cases throughout Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County, Charles County, Baltimore, and the Maryland/Washington, D.C. metro area. Call (301) 850-7000 to schedule a free consultation.
Types of Surgical Errors
If a surgeon violates the standard of care or makes a preventable mistake during an operation, the patient can suffer serious injuries.
Errors that occur during a surgical procedure and may be grounds for a lawsuit include:
- Anesthesia errors
- Incorrect surgical site
- Misreading laboratory results
- Improper follow-up after surgery
- Damage to surrounding tissues and organs that goes unnoticed
- Surgical instruments left inside a patient
- Infection
- Performing surgery when it was not necessary or advisable
- Discharging a patient prematurely
These mistakes may seem rare, but they happen more often than many realize. An estimated 250,000 people die each year in the U.S. from medical errors, making it the third-leading cause of death in this country, behind only heart disease and cancer. More than 4,000 surgical errors occur annually.
Potential Life-Long Impacts of Surgical Errors
Surgical errors can severely impact your life and the lives of your loved ones. The damage can significantly limit your ability to work, perform everyday activities, and enjoy life. Potter Law, LLC’s experienced surgical error lawyer in Maryland understands the profound effects a surgical error can have and pursues compensation to help relieve the financial burden caused by medical negligence.
Recovering from a surgical error can involve extensive rehabilitation, further medical treatments, and sometimes multiple corrective surgeries. Patients can experience chronic pain, lasting disabilities, or emotional trauma following a preventable error in the operating room. These ripple effects can strain relationships, disrupt careers, and create ongoing challenges for Maryland families. A comprehensive legal case can consider both the current repercussions and the lifetime impact when seeking damages for those harmed by negligent care.
Compensation in a Surgical Error Lawsuit
Some states limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in surgical error cases. Maryland caps non-economic damages based on the year the error occurred. For medical errors in 2021, the cap is $845,000. That cap goes up $15,000 each year that follows. There is no cap on economic damage awards.
Economic damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income and wages
- Loss of future earning capability
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Frequent Causes of Wrong Site & Wrong Procedure Surgeries
Wrong site and wrong procedure surgeries are among some of the most serious surgical errors. These failures often happen when hospitals or surgical teams do not follow established safety protocols, such as verifying the patient and the surgical site.
Other causes can include:
- Communication breakdowns
- Fatigue
- Rushed preoperative checks
Victims of these errors often require additional corrective procedures, face extended hospital stays, and may experience severe trauma from the violation of trust and bodily autonomy. These life-changing outcomes emphasize why families trust our wrong surgery site lawyer in Maryland because of our deep local knowledge and commitment to seeking accountability through the legal system.
How Our Maryland Surgical Error Lawyer Supports Your Case
Navigating a claim for surgical error involves more than understanding medical facts, it requires familiarity with Maryland’s legal standards for medical negligence, communication with medical experts, and thoughtful documentation of the full impact of the error on your life. Our experienced surgical error attorney in Maryland can evaluate whether medical records, surgical notes, and hospital policies reveal where the standard of care broke down.
Working with our wrong surgery site attorney in Maryland means you'll have a skilled surgical error lawyer in Maryland to help guide you through each step, clarify what evidence you need, and help you understand all deadlines and procedural rules. This thoughtful approach helps keep your claim on track and maximizes your opportunity to pursue fair compensation. In our work at Potter Law, LLC, we emphasize open communication and work to help you feel supported as you navigate an often stressful time in your life.
FAQs
How do I know if I have a valid surgical error claim?
You may have a claim if a surgeon, hospital, or medical provider caused harm by failing to meet accepted standards of care during your surgery. Generally, you must show that a preventable mistake occurred, that it directly caused injury, and that measurable damages resulted, such as additional surgeries, pain, or lost income.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit for surgical malpractice in Maryland?
Maryland law generally allows up to five years from the date of the injury or three years from when you discovered the injury, whichever is earlier. Special rules apply for minors and certain circumstances, so it’s important to review your case promptly.
Who can be held liable in a surgical error lawsuit?
Depending on the facts, responsible parties could include the surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurses involved in the procedure, the hospital itself, or others who contributed to the error.
Do I need a medical professional to review my claim?
Maryland law requires a “Certificate of Qualified Expert,” which must be signed by a health care provider with experience in the field relevant to your claim. This review is required before your lawsuit may proceed in court.
What should I do if I suspect a surgical error after an operation?
Seek another medical evaluation promptly and request your medical records. Document your symptoms and all communications with providers. Timely gathering of evidence and details can help strengthen any potential legal claim you decide to pursue.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury due to the carelessness of a medical professional, do not hesitate to call our Maryland surgical error attorney at (301) 850-7000 for your free case evaluation. You may also reach out to us through our online contact form.
