Doctors will often perform surgery on people that have illnesses or conditions that affect their bowels. While such procedures can provide necessary relief, if they are not performed correctly, they may cause rather than alleviate, health issues. Typically, errors in colon and rectal surgery are the result of negligence, and physicians that fail to use due care should be held accountable for the harm they cause their patients. If you were hurt by your doctor’s mistakes during surgery on your rectum or colon, it is wise to confer with an attorney regarding what claims you may be able to pursue. The dedicated Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group are proficient at proving that careless doctors should be deemed liable for the losses they bring about, and if you hire us, we will advocate zealously on your behalf.
Examples of Errors in Colon and Rectal SurgeryAll surgeries carry some degree of risk, but the benefits of a procedure generally far outweigh the likelihood of harm. When doctors perform surgeries in a careless manner, though, their patients may suffer unanticipated harm. For example, errors in colon and rectal surgery can lead to a number of complications. In some instances, a doctor may perforate the colon or surrounding tissue or organs, which can lead to bleeding, sepsis, and infections. Mistakes during the surgical process can also cause bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, urinary symptoms, and bowel incontinence. Patients may also develop hernias following colon and rectal surgery and suffer harm due to negligent post-surgical care, allergic reactions to anesthesia, or other drugs administered during or after the procedure.
Elements of a Lawsuit Seeking Damages for Errors in Colon and Rectal SurgeryPeople hurt by surgical errors often suffer not only physical injuries but also sustain emotional trauma and financial losses as well. Fortunately, they have the right to seek compensation from the parties responsible for their harm in medical malpractice lawsuits.
Generally, a defendant in medical malpractice cases will assert that the defendant is liable under a theory of negligence. In Maryland, a plaintiff arguing a defendant acted negligently must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty and that the defendant breached the duty. The duty a doctor owes a patient is to perform their professional obligations in a manner that complies with the relevant standard of care.
The standard of care that applies to doctors is the care that a reasonable physician that works in the same specialty as the defendant would offer to a patient in the same situation in which the alleged malpractice arose. In most instances, the plaintiff will need to hire an expert to explain what the standard of care dictates and how the defendant’s actions constitute a departure from the standard.
After the plaintiff establishes the standard of care and shows that the defendant breached the standard, they must then demonstrate that the defendant’s violation of the standard of care brought about the plaintiff’s harm. In other words, the plaintiff must show that they sustained actual losses and that their losses would not have occurred but for the defendant’s actions or omissions. A plaintiff that adequately demonstrates a defendant’s fault may be awarded compensation for their economic losses, like the cost of medical care, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs, and for their intangible harm, which generally includes pain, suffering, and mental anguish.
Talk to a Seasoned Baltimore Attorney About Your CaseErrors in colon and rectal surgery can cause physical and emotional injuries, and in many cases, the harm suffered endures for months or years. If you sustained damages because of mistakes your doctor made during a surgical procedure, it is smart to talk to an attorney about your options. The seasoned Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group possess the skills and resources needed to obtain favorable outcomes in medical malpractice cases, and if we represent you, we will help you pursue the outcome you deserve. We frequently represent people injured by medical malpractice in lawsuits in Baltimore, where we have an office. You can reach us by calling us at (410) 889-1850 or by using our online form to set up a confidential conference.