Although patients can be at risk of a surgical error in any medical field, one of the more serious involves neurosurgery. The reason this is especially dangerous is because a mistake could result in long-term or permanent damage to the patient’s spinal cord or brain.
Types of Medical Negligence Involving Neurosurgery
The following are examples of negligence that may be associated with neurosurgery:
- accidental cutting of spinal cord;
- unnecessary back surgery;
- misuse of equipment and hardware;
- operating on wrong side of patient/wrong part of the spine; and
- failure to read results of CT scan.
Mistakes may necessitate additional surgery and could result in serious consequences such as paralysis, or even cause death. The effects can be permanent disability and a reduced quality of life. With the delicacy involved in these types of surgeries, it’s critical that the best standard of care is given.
If the doctor is found not to have followed an acceptable standard of care expected of other professionals in the field, he or she may be considered negligent and liable for any damages.
But neurosurgeons aren’t the only type of specialists against whom a medical malpractice claim may be filed. Mistakes by specialists in the various fields can cause a life-altering injury. Of course, patients may discuss the details of their case with a malpractice attorney to review whether a case may be warranted against a neurosurgeon or other professional.