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Wrong Site Surgery Attorney in Roanoke

Studies suggest that despite protocols implemented to curb the numbers, wrong site surgery still accounts for at least 6 percent of the 1,441 events reviewed in a recent year by The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.

At Lichtenstein Law Group PLC, our Roanoke wrong site surgery lawyers understand patients’ pain and confusion when they realize a trusted medical professional has made a significant error and operated on the wrong part of their body. The trauma can cause tremendous physical, emotional, and financial scars that are challenging to overcome. Our compassionate medical malpractice team wants to offer you support and guidance during this horrible time in your life.

Are you the victim of a wrong site surgery? Contact a Roanoke wrong site surgery lawyer at Lichtenstein Law Group PLC today and request a free, no-obligation legal consultation. Let us review your situation and outline your options for pursuing justice and compensation for the wrong you suffered.

What Is Wrong Site Surgery?

Wrong site surgery (WSS) is a form of medical malpractice. It occurs when a surgeon or other healthcare provider performs a surgical procedure on the wrong body part. This error can include operating on the wrong limb, area, body level, or even patient. WSS may also include cases where local anesthetic gets injected into the wrong body area before a procedure.

Wrong site surgeries are preventable medical errors that can lead to significant physical and emotional trauma for patients. These errors can also cause financial hardships due to complications from the initial surgery and the need for additional procedures to address the health concerns that result from the mistake. Our Roanoke wrong site surgery attorney can help.

What Are Common Causes of Wrong Site Surgery?

Wrong site surgeries are preventable events. However, several measures can get overlooked, leading to these surgical errors in hospitals and other medical facilities.

Some of the frequent causes of wrong site surgeries include:

  • Miscommunication
  • Noncompliance issues
  • Failure to follow universal protocols
  • Diagnostic errors
  • Inadequate patient assessment
  • Stress or extreme workloads for healthcare providers
  • Drug or alcohol use by medical practitioners
  • Distractions

Healthcare facilities should have explicit protocols to prevent medical errors like wrong site surgeries. When these protocols are ignored or rushed, devastating and life-threatening consequences can result for the patient. Contact our Roanoke wrong site surgery lawyer today.

How Often Do Wrong Site Surgeries Happen?

Recent studies indicate that wrong site surgeries are the fourth most significant preventable problem in the healthcare field. WSS incidents occur in .09 to 4.5 of every 10,000 operations in the United States today.

Unfortunately, getting accurate wrong site surgery statistics across the U.S. and in specific states can be challenging. The Joint Commission, a Chicago-based group that accredits hospitals in the U.S. and advocates for zero-harm patient care, reports that Virginia is one of several states that does not require its doctors or hospitals to report wrong site surgeries. Additionally, the organization estimates that as many as 40 wrong site surgeries may happen in hospitals and clinics in the U.S. every week.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Roanoke Wrong Site Surgery?

The surgeon is often held most responsible for conducting a wrong site surgery. However, there are cases where other individuals or entities can also bear partial liability for a wrong site surgery incident.

Those who can be held accountable for a wrong site surgery may include:

  • Surgeons
  • Medical staff involved in the procedure
  • Hospitals
  • Medical facilities

Uncovering fault for a wrong site surgery can be complicated. An experienced Roanoke wrong site surgery lawyer has the knowledge and resources to thoroughly investigate the incident, collect evidence that helps establish liability, and identify who can be held responsible for the error.

What Compensation Can I Recover for a Wrong Site Surgery in Virginia?

The compensation you can recover from a medical malpractice claim filed for a wrong site surgery in Virginia depends on the circumstances of the incident and the severity of your injury.

In many medical malpractice cases, you can pursue compensation for the following:

  • Medical expenses, present and future
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering

Before you accept compensation from an insurer, hospital, or any other entity, discuss your situation with an experienced Roanoke wrong site surgery attorney. They can review your situation, evaluate your losses, and advocate for you.

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Filing a Wrong Site Surgery Lawsuit?

You have limited time to file a wrong site surgery lawsuit, so having a medical malpractice attorney on your side as soon as possible is crucial. Virginia law generally gives patients two years from the date of the medical error to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for their financial losses.

If you don’t file before the legal deadline expires, the court can dismiss your lawsuit. You lose leverage against the insurer or medical facility and may be unable to recover maximum compensation if you file your suit late.

Contact a Roanoke Wrong Site Surgery Lawyer

Wrong site surgery is more than physically detrimental to a patient – it can lead to mental and emotional distress. At Lichtenstein Law Group PLC, our Roanoke medical malpractice lawyers know what it takes to build a compelling wrong site surgery case to demand the compensation you deserve. With nearly 100 years of combined legal experience, we have the extensive resources, access to top experts, and thorough understanding of the law needed to aggressively pursue justice for you. We’ll work with you to hold careless practitioners and healthcare facilities accountable, and we won’t stop fighting for you.

Contact our Roanoke office today for a free consultation. We always prepare for trial and negotiate from a position of strength. Call now to learn more.