Pittsburgh Surgery Error Attorneys

An Experienced Law Firm for Medical Malpractice Claims

If you or a loved one has suffered because of surgical negligence or malpractice, it is important to consult with a trusted attorney with experience handling these kinds of claims to make sure that you and your family are protected. Surgical errors happen, often to individuals who are already injured, sick, or otherwise vulnerable, and the results can be life-changing for everyone involved.

At Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C., our focus is on working with families and individuals who have suffered unnecessarily because of the negligence or error of a medical professional. Our Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyers are committed to providing knowledgeable advice, experienced representation, and ethical guidance to people when they need it most.

Common Types of Surgical Errors

A surgical error, in the context of medical malpractice, refers to a mistake or negligence committed by a surgeon or surgical team during a surgical procedure. These errors can lead to significant harm or injury to the patient.

Some common examples include:

• Anesthesia Errors: Administering too much or too little anesthesia, resulting in complications such as anesthesia awareness (where the patient is conscious during surgery) or allergic reactions.
• Wrong-Site Surgery: Performing surgery on the wrong body part or the wrong patient.
• Instruments or Foreign Objects Left Inside the Patient: Leaving surgical instruments, sponges, or other foreign objects inside the patient's body.
• Nerve Damage: Accidentally damaging nerves during surgery, which can lead to paralysis, loss of sensation, or chronic pain.
• Organ Perforation: Accidentally perforating or damaging nearby organs or tissues during surgery.
• Infection: Failing to maintain sterile conditions or properly closing incisions, leading to post-operative infections.
• Failure to Monitor: Inadequate monitoring of the patient during surgery, which can lead to complications such as hypoxia (low oxygen levels).
• Delayed Surgery: Failing to perform surgery in a timely manner, which can worsen the patient's condition or lead to complications.

These errors can have severe consequences for patients, including prolonged recovery times, additional medical expenses, disability, or even death. When such errors are caused by negligence or failure to adhere to the standard of care expected of medical professionals, they may constitute medical malpractice.

Common Causes of Surgical Errors

Several factors can contribute to surgical errors, often resulting from a combination of human, organizational, and technical issues. Here are some common contributing factors:

• Communication Issues: Poor communication among surgical team members, including unclear instructions, failure to share critical information, or misunderstandings during handoffs.
• Lack of Teamwork: Inadequate teamwork and coordination among surgical team members, which can lead to errors in procedural steps or in responding to unexpected events.
• Fatigue and Stress: Surgeon and staff fatigue due to long hours or high workload, which can impair concentration and decision-making abilities during surgery.
• Inadequate Training or Experience: Insufficient training or experience of surgical team members, including surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists, leading to errors in technique or decision-making.
• Equipment Failures: Malfunctioning or inadequate equipment and tools used during surgery, which can lead to procedural errors or complications.
• Time Pressure: Pressure to complete surgeries quickly, either due to scheduling constraints or emergencies, which may lead to rushed decisions or inadequate preparation.
• Inadequate Preoperative Planning: Insufficient preparation before surgery, including incomplete patient assessments, inaccurate medical histories, or failure to anticipate potential complications.
• Distractions in the Operating Room: External distractions or interruptions during surgery, such as noise, phone calls, or non-essential conversations, which can disrupt concentration and focus.
• Ineffective Supervision or Leadership: Poor supervision or leadership in the operating room, resulting in inadequate oversight of surgical procedures or failure to intervene when necessary.
• Systemic Issues: Organizational factors within healthcare facilities, such as inadequate staffing levels, poor infrastructure, or deficiencies in protocols and guidelines, which can contribute to errors during surgery.

The Benefit of Experience

Serving the people of Pittsburgh as well as clients throughout Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia for nearly 40 years, we are proud to have established a proven record of success for our clients, and a reputation for ethical practice.

We take on cases where negligence and unprofessional actions lead to serious injury. Our medical malpractice attorneys in Pittsburgh are dedicated to making sure that families who have suffered get the justice they need in cases involving:

• Medical malpractice
• Emergency room errors
• Anesthesia error

As experienced counselors, we know how to pursue these kinds of hospital and doctor negligence claims, and we understand the needs of our clients. We can employ the resources to be effective in complex medical malpractice and surgical errors litigation.

Put Our Strength Behind Your Surgical Error Case

We are dedicated to the service of our clients. From our initial consultation and case review until we reach a settlement or judgment on your behalf, your best interests are our first priority. And, with contingency fee arrangements on all personal injury cases, you don't owe us attorneys fees until we reach a positive result for you.

Schedule a free consultation with our office by calling (844) 383-0565 or contact us online to set up an appointment or request more information.