Injuries From Back Surgery Negligence

Studies show that 75 to 85% of Americans suffer from some sort of back pain at one point or another in their life. For some back pain surgery is the solution. Back surgery, however, is a very complicated procedure. If doctors are negligent during the operation, patients can end up with serious injuries that can result in brain damage, paralysis, or even death.

Injuries

The spinal cord is the most important part of the human body as numerous nerves that carry messages to the brain and the rest of the body surround it. One wrong move in this sensitive part during an operation can leave you completely dysfunctional. Negligence during surgery can lead to nerve injury, brain damage, stroke, paralysis, sexual dysfunction, fracture, and death. A back surgery is an invasive procedure and quite complicated. If precautions are not taken, patients can get infections and blood clot leading to numbness and paralyses.

Causes

Injuries can occur during an operation as a result of the substandard care of a physician. Sometimes, doctors hurry patients into undergoing an operation when there is no need for one. This may result in a complicated medical situation. Many a times, doctors commit blunders while operating by leaving an object inside the patient. Did you know that some 1,500 cases are reported annually, wherein doctors have left surgical instruments or other objects inside patients during an operation? Other times, doctors may accidentally tear a neighboring nerve like dura, which results in the leaking of cerebrospinal fluid leading to death. Negligence on the part of anesthesiologists too can cause permanent damage to the patients.

Legal Help

Back surgery negligence can leave you challenged not only physically, but financially as well. A severe back pain combined with injuries from post-medical care can make you stay away from work for a long time. It can put reins on your right to enjoy life, temporarily or even permanently. Typical damages available for back surgery negligence consist of lost wages and loss of future income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and psychological and mental trauma. When you suffer for your physician’s mistake, you can litigate to recover financial compensation for the damages. Types of damages and the compensation allowed are different in each state. Depending on that the type of lawsuit will also vary, that is, whether it is medical malpractice, or wrongful death, or personal injury.  Therefore, seeking the help of an attorney specialized in medical malpractice is imperative.