Springdale, AR Attorney for Surgical Injury and Death

When scheduling a surgical procedure, you want to ensure that you work with a surgeon that you trust. However, this is not a guarantee that your procedure will go smoothly. Some may awake after surgery to find various signs and symptoms that they are suffering from nerve damage. If you or a family member suffered nerve damage after a surgical operation, contact an experienced Springdale medical malpractice attorney today.

The Kieklak Law Firm can help you file a medical malpractice lawsuit against a negligent surgeon that caused your injuries. Our firm acknowledges how a nerve injury can change your life, and we are here for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact the Kieklak Law Firm at (479) 316-0438, or contact us online.

Common Surgical Mistakes

Every surgical operation performed should be handled with extreme caution whether the procedure takes thirty minutes or two hours. Unfortunately, some surgeons fail to provide their patients with the care that they deserve during their important procedure. If a surgeon causes a patient to suffer an injury during the operation or by failing to adequately monitor a patient after surgery, they can be held liable by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit.

The following is a list of common surgical mistakes that can lead to nerve damage for a patient.

Error When Making an Incision

Invasive surgery requires that a surgeon must use a scalpel and other tools to operate on a patient. When making an incision with surgical tools, a surgeon must have a keen knowledge of anatomy and the location of nerves and nerve bundles in the patient’s body.

If a surgeon cuts too deeply or makes contact with a bundle of nerves, this could cause a patient to suffer nerve damage. For example, if a patient is having a procedure performed on their neck or back area, a surgeon must exercise caution to avoid making contact with the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves control movement in the arms and hands and a severed nerve could cause numbness or paralysis in part of the patient’s arms.

Additionally, a patient could also suffer nerve damage if a medical instrument simply makes contact with a nerve without severing it. Making contact with a nerve during surgery could cause the area to become severely inflamed.

Incorrect Anesthesia Administration

Anesthesia can be administered in a number of ways depending on what type of surgery is being performed. For example, if a patient needs to have surgery on an area of their spinal column, an anesthesiologist will typically administer regional anesthesia. Regional anesthesia is often injected into the spinal cord during an operation.

If an anesthesiologist misses by even a few centimeters, they can cause a patient to suffer a long-term or permanent nerve injury. Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to partial paralysis or possibly full paralysis.

The incorrect administration of anesthesia can also cause certain areas of a person’s body to become numb to touch or cause a loss of sensation. Mistakes regarding anesthesia can also lead to various other types of injuries, like brain damage or seizures.

Failure to Move a Patient During Surgery

Before commencing a surgical operation, a surgeon will typically ask you to place your body in a position that will make it easier to perform the operation. For example, if you are having surgery to remove your appendix, the surgeon may request that you place your arms in the shape of a “T” to ensure that they do not make contact with your stomach.

If you are having surgery that will take multiple hours, the medical team needs to ensure that your body does not remain in the same position for the entire duration of the surgery. Leaving a patient’s body in an unnatural position for the duration of a surgery could cause the patient to suffer a pinched nerve.

There are various signs and symptoms that could signify a pinched nerve after a surgery:

• Numbness or loss of sensation
• Constant pins and needles (paresthesia) sensation in certain areas
• Muscle weakness
• Burning or aching pains

There are other surgical mistakes that could cause a patient to suffer nerve damage. Our firm is prepared to help you determine whether a surgeon should be held accountable for a nerve injury that developed after surgery.

Contact an Experienced Springdale Surgical Injury Lawyer to Litigate Your Nerve Injury Claim

If you or a family member had a severe nerve injury after having surgery, consult with an experienced Springdale nerve injury lawyer today. The injury lawyers at the Kieklak Law Firm possess decades of legal experience, and we are prepared to work with you on your injury case. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact the Kieklak Law Firm at (479) 316-0438.