Surgical Error Lawyers in Arlington Heights

Experienced Rolling Meadows Attorneys for Victims of Mistakes During Surgery

When you or a loved one is diagnosed with an illness, injury, or another medical condition, you and your doctor will typically discuss various options for treating the problem. In many cases, the treatment will involve one or more surgical procedures to address the issue and to facilitate a full recovery. While it is not uncommon to be apprehensive about undergoing surgery, the overwhelming majority of surgical procedures are completed successfully and with no unexpected complications. Surgeons throughout the country perform thousands of successful procedures that improve the lives of their patients.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we know that advances in modern medical technology have helped make surgery safer than ever before. We also realize, however, that all medical procedures have some risks, including the risk of human error. If you or a member of your family has suffered unexpected complications, illness, or injury as the result of a mistake made during surgery, our experienced lawyers are ready to help you seek compensation.

When Is a Surgical Error Considered Negligence?

There are no guarantees in the practice of medicine, and there is always the possibility that a treatment will not go as planned or will not work as intended. This is certainly true with regard to surgical procedures. It is important to keep in mind that a mistake made during surgery is not always considered medical malpractice, nor is the fact that the surgery was unsuccessful. A procedure could even cause additional harm and still not be considered malpractice.

Medical malpractice, or professional negligence, only occurs when the care provided does not adhere to the prevailing standard of care for that area of practice. In determining whether care did not meet the prevailing standard, the act or surgeon in question is subject to a comparison. If a reasonably qualified and cautious surgeon of similar age, training, and experience would have been likely to make the same mistake, the error is not generally considered malpractice. If a similarly trained and experienced professional would have been likely to avoid the mistake, the error could constitute professional negligence.

Surgical errors that may be considered malpractice include but are not limited to:

• Performing surgery on the wrong part of the body, including left-and-right mix-ups;
• Performing surgery on the wrong patient due to hospital staff miscommunication;
• Surgical items such as clamps and sponges left inside the patient;
• Excessive damage to nerves or scarring due to the carelessness; and
• Mistakes related to anesthesia.

A surgeon could also be found negligent for failing to disclose the risks associated with the procedure before the patient consents to surgery.

Helping Injured Patients in Long Grove and Elk Grove Village

Attorney Gary A. Newland and his team have more than 60 years of combined experience in the practice of injury law. We have helped many victims of medical malpractice secure favorable settlements and verdicts, and we are prepared to put our proven approach to work for you. When you contact our firm, we will begin by investigating the circumstances of your surgery and your subsequent injuries. We will review medical records, surgical notes, training materials, and any other details that could help us show that your injuries were caused by negligence. Our team also maintains a large network of fully qualified experts, including board-certified surgeons, whose input could be crucial in building a successful case for compensation. From the negotiating table to the courtroom, you can depend on our attorneys to remain at your side every step of the way.

Call an Illinois Medical Malpractice Attorney for Help

For more information about recovering damages for injuries caused by a surgical error, contact our office. Call 847-797-8000 for a free phone consultation and case review today. Our firm helps injured victims and their families in Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Wheeling, Long Grove, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Palatine, Mount Prospect, Lake County, DuPage County, Cook County, and the surrounding areas.