It is an unfortunate truth those who enter into the medical profession with the best intentions may be compromised by stress and long hours on the job and make serious mistakes. These mistakes fall under the personal injury law “Medical Malpractice” Although there may be some surgeons who are unethical and intentionally try to cause harm or swindle their patients, in large part surgical mistakes are simply accidents with no malicious intent. We may be sympathetic to those doctors who make mistakes, for surely they suffer emotionally for them, but we must also be sympathetic to and seek justice for the victims of these mistakes. The patients and families who experience serious infection, painful injuries or even pass away as a result of medical error deserve adequate compensation. In any situation involving surgical or medical errors in the state of California, it is important to contact a medical malpractice attorney immediately to avoid exceeding the statute of limitations, or the time legally allowed for filing a claim.

Although there are more stories in the media about cosmetic surgeries which have gone horribly wrong, it is statistically just as likely that a root canal, an appendectomy or even routine stitches can result in egregious injury beyond the original medical issue. Many things can go wrong with deadly consequences during even a routine surgical procedure. For this reason it is wise to consider that, though relatively rare, there is a statistical likelihood for something to go awry in any surgical procedure. Always discuss any allergies or reactions to medications or anesthetics with your surgeon beforehand and alert everyone involved of any heart conditions or other ailments that might cause complications during surgery. Do as much as you can before an operation to clarify every step of the procedure with your surgeon. Meet with an experienced medical malpractice attorney before any surgery so that you know who to turn to if things go wrong. Do not worry about how your surgeon feels a about this; doctors and especially surgeons, entered into their profession with eyes wide open regarding the stresses involved with a medical practice.

If a medical mistake occurred in a hospital the liable parties may include not only the surgeon but the anesthesiologist and surgical assistants and some or all of the hospital management. Large amounts of precise documentation will be required in a medical malpractice claim, beyond the scope of the average victim or family of a victim of a surgical mistake.