What constitutes surgical negligence?

The vast majority of surgeries that are carried out run without any complications and have the ability to greatly improve a patient’s quality of life.

However, occasionally surgical errors are made which can have a devastating impact on a patient’s life. These mistakes may cause a patient to develop new health issues that they did not experience prior to having the surgery or result in the worsening of their pre-existing illness or injury.

There are risks involved with every type of surgery and the patient should be made aware of such risks prior to their operation. If the surgeon or hospital acts negligently however, which results in injury, complications or infection to the patient, then they may be able to make a medical negligence claim.

Below are several examples of surgical errors:

• operating on the wrong part of the body
• leaving a foreign object inside of the patient
• substandard or improperly executed surgeries
• nerve damage or damage to organs during surgery
• performing the wrong type of surgery
• failing to sterilise instruments leading to an infection.

Claims for surgical errors can be difficult to establish. However, if you believe that your surgeon failed to exercise reasonable care and skill during surgery or if you have suffered an injury, infection or other complication then you may be able to make a medical negligence claim.

We Can Help You

If you believe we can assist you when pursuing a Medical Negligence claim, please get in contact with us on 0330 404 0777 or fill out our online enquiry form.