A White Plains Surgical Errors Attorney Fighting For New York
All types of surgery have known risks and potential complications. However, some procedures go seriously wrong because of negligence by the surgeon, anesthesiologist or other licensed medical professionals. If you have reason to believe that your or a family member’s adverse outcome was caused by a surgical error, our attorneys will take your concerns seriously.
Meagher & Meagher, P.C. is a premier resource for people seriously harmed by medical malpractice in Westchester County and throughout New York. Led by our principal trial lawyer Christopher B. Meagher, we have earned two of the largest verdicts for victims of medical negligence ever awarded by New York juries.
We Take Action For Victims Of Surgical And Medication Errors
At our long-standing law firm in White Plains, we have the knowledge, experience and resources to assess whether you should file a lawsuit seeking financial compensation. Although surgical errors take many forms, notable cases have arisen from:
- A surgeon leaving a medical instrument, sponge or other foreign object in the surgical cavity
- Performance of an unnecessary surgery — or operation on the wrong body part
- Failures to respond to and effectively address complications during or after surgery
- Inadequate post-surgical care necessary to prevent life-threatening infections
Medical malpractice cases are challenging to prove and win, but our legal team is up to that challenge. We firmly believe that accountability must be enforced within the medical profession — and that patients have a fundamental right to expect diligence and adherence to the standard of care.
Which Plastic Surgery Is The Most Dangerous?
Some of the most common procedures surgical errors attorneys associate with medical malpractice claims include:
- Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs): This involves liposuction to remove fat from other areas in a patient’s own body, which is then purified and injected into the patient’s buttocks to enhance their size and shape. Unfortunately, sometimes doctors turn to cheap fillers and implants that can migrate to other parts of a patient’s body. An unskilled surgeon can also incorrectly inject the fat or filler, leading to infection, tissue necrosis and fat embolisms that can turn deadly.
- Tummy tucks (Abdominoplasty): A tummy tuck involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening the stomach muscles to create a more toned appearance. It can be a dangerous procedure in inexperienced hands because there is a significant risk of blood clots forming, which can cause life-threatening pulmonary embolisms. Patients are also at risk of extensive scarring, nerve damage, infection and poor wound healing.
- Large-volume liposuction involves removing significant amounts of fat at once, often all over the patient’s body. Due to the amount of time the patient is under anesthesia, a patient may suffer from dehydration, hypovolemic shock, blood loss and complications.
- Liquid silicone facial injections: Liquid silicone is injected into the patient’s face to smooth wrinkles, recontour their chin, or create new volume and a more youthful appearance. However, the FDA has not approved liquid silicone as a dermal filler. Wholly unqualified persons often do the procedure, and that can lead to the need for corrective surgery and lifelong disfigurement and mental anguish.
Surgeons who lack adequate training, failure to maintain a properly sterile environment and poor postoperative medical care can compound the problems, leading to severe outcomes that could have been avoided with proper preventative care. Medical malpractice lawsuits, in the hands of a competent medical malpractice attorney, can help victims recover the maximum compensation for their pain and loss of enjoyment of life, as well as past and future medical care costs.
What To Do If You Suspect Surgical Negligence
Not every surgical procedure leads to a positive outcome, but medical professionals are expected to uphold industry standards. All patients should know that they have received the expected caliber of care and that the surgeon has not been negligent. Surgeons are held to a high standard, and if you or a loved one has suffered harm due to an avoidable medical error, it may be malpractice.
A skilled surgical error attorney – such as a member of our experienced team at Meagher & Meagher, P.C. – can help guide you through seeking financial compensation. This often requires gathering medical records, investigating the root causes of the error, determining where the fault lies – there could be multiple at-fault parties, such as the surgeon and the medical center – and then filing a lawsuit.
This is a complex legal process and clients must be aware of the statute of limitations and the legal options at their disposal. It is often wise to address the entire issue upfront with medical malpractice lawyers who know the ins and outs of the law – and who understand what next steps you’ll need to take to protect your future. Let our experienced team guide you as you seek the compensation you deserve.
How Do You Prove Medical Malpractice?
Each case is unique, but you must show that the surgeon breached a duty of care to the patient, leading to direct damages like additional medical bills, pain and suffering, lost earning capacity and more. Often, medical experts will be used to establish an expected standard of care and to show how the surgeon in question deviated from it. These experts can testify to the correct procedures that should have been followed.
What Is The Statute Of Limitations?
The statute of limitations for surgical mistakes and other medical malpractice cases in New York is two years and six months. This is why it is important to move quickly when seeking compensation. Even a valid case may be thrown out if the statute of limitations has been missed.
What To Do If You Suspect Surgical Negligence?
For honest, realistic guidance on your legal options after a serious surgical error or other suspected act of medical negligence, we encourage you to call 914-246-2958 (toll free) or reach out to us via email. We welcome direct client inquiries and receive many referrals from attorneys familiar with our diligence and reputation.