Common Types of Surgical Errors
Many different mishaps can happen during a surgical procedure. Unfortunately, the patient is normally unconscious and unable to notice errors or protest. Often, victims of surgical errors may not realize what happened for some time or, if the mishap was particularly serious, they may never wake up at all. For this reason, any type of surgical mishap can be frightening. The following are some examples of common surgical errors:
- Nicking an artery or blood vessel;
- Damaging a nerve;
- Making an incision in the wrong part of the body;
- Operating on the wrong side of the body;
- Performing the wrong procedure on the wrong patient;
- Using equipment that is not properly sterilized;
- Not checking the patient’s medical chart or history for possible risks;
- Not performing proper postoperative care;
- Leaving foreign objects such as a sponge or scalpel inside a patient’s body.
All of these errors have the potential to cause complications for patients requiring hospitalization and extensive medical care that would not otherwise have been necessary. In addition, if a patient must remain in the hospital, they will not be able to return to work or their other usual activities, which can result in lost income and loss of enjoyment of life.
Elements of A Personal Injury Lawsuit
Under Chapter 31 of Oregon Revised Statutes, tort actions are those which seek financial compensation for injuries suffered as the result of someone’s reckless or negligent actions. As a tort action, elements of a personal injury lawsuit include the following:
- Claim for damages
The legal paperwork filed by your attorney with the court on your behalf, naming the parties responsible for your injuries and the types of damages you are seeking. - Mediation
Negotiations before an impartial party with you, your attorney, and the at fault party during which an attempt will be made to settle or resolve your case. - Settlement
A financial amount agreed upon by all parties out of court to compensate you for your injuries and resolve your claim. - Damages
Under Oregon law, you may be entitled to economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages including mental anguish and pain and suffering. - Judgment
A verdict handed down by a judge awarding damages for your personal injury claim.
Personal Injury and Insurance Companies
If you have been seriously injured due to the negligence or careless actions of an individual or business, enlist the help of a personal injury attorney right away. Settling with an insurance company may result in you receiving far less compensation than you actually need.
At Johnston Law Firm, P.C., in Portland, Oregon, we pride ourselves in our ability to work hand in hand with insurance companies to resolve coverage disputes and denials for our clients. Our experience with insurance denials is a great benefit to our personal injury clients. We know exactly what the insurance companies are looking at, and we can head off many of their challenges proactively. This helps us build a persuasive claim that pursues full and fair damages for your pain and suffering.
Don’t miss out on these common personal injury mistakes.
Get the legal counsel you need to guide you through the process of filing an injury claim.
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