Hysterectomy Errors, Medical Malpractice and Lawsuits

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the United States every year making hysterectomies one of the most common surgical procedures performed on women. A hysterectomy always removes a woman’s uterus and sometimes her fallopian tubes and/or ovaries as well. There are several different medical reasons why a hysterectomy may be necessary including cancer, fibroids, excessive bleeding and chronic pain.

How the Procedure is Done

A hysterectomy is performed under general anesthesia and is considered major abdominal surgery.   Your surgeon will cut in your lower abdomen and removes the uterus and any other parts of the reproductive system that may be contributing to your condition.  Patients typically remain in the hospital for 1 – 4 days following a hysterectomy.  It takes approximately 6-8 weeks to fully recover from a hysterectomy and normal activities should be limited during the recovery period.

Risks

Generally, the surgery is successful in that the uterus is removed from the body.  However, a hysterectomy is major surgery and there are serious risks involved with it.  The risks associated with a hysterectomy include blood clots, infection, excessive bleeding, anesthesia complications, damage to the urinary tract, rectum or other internal organs, and early onset of menopause.  Many of these risks can be greatly reduced if medical personnel take certain precautions and carefully monitor patients.

Opportunity for Negligence and Injury

However, if doctors fail to take the necessary precautions and carefully monitor patients that significant injuries can occur.  Specifically, doctors should:

• Consider blood thinners and compression items to decrease the risk of blood clots;
• Make sure the patient is properly cleaned and placed on antibiotics prior to beginning surgery to prevent infection;
• Take precautions to prevent excessive bleeding;
• Ensure that an anesthesiologist is carefully monitoring the patient through recovery;
• Pay careful attention not to hurt the urinary tract, rectum or other internal organs during surgery; and
• Advise the patient and provide hormone replacement therapy as appropriate to deal with the symptoms of early onset menopause.

Medical Negligence and Malpractice Suits

If you have suffered a serious consequence from your hysterectomy, or if a loved one has died from a hysterectomy surgery, then you may be entitled to damages.  The first step to collecting damages is to file a lawsuit against the hospital, doctors, nurses, or medical professionals whose negligence caused the injuries.  You may be entitled to recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, for example.

Getting Legal Help

In order to recover these damages it is important to hire a medical malpractice lawyer to represent you.  Your lawyer will help you negotiate a settlement with the defendant(s) or litigate your case to ensure a fair damage award.  Your lawyer understands the significant consequences that you have suffered as a result of medical malpractice and is committed to helping you with your financial recovery.