Failing to remove foreign objects from patients during surgery can be considered medical malpractice, entitling victims to compensation in Philadelphia.
Retained surgical items might lead to infections, pain, and other serious complications that cause unnecessary health issues for victims of medical malpractice in Philadelphia. If you experience any complications or health concerns because of a retained surgical item, you can sue the negligent surgeon and hospital for compensation. To do so, you must bring your case within two years of the instance of medical malpractice or the discovery of the retained surgical item. Victims might incur various damages because of retained surgical items, such as costs related to corrective surgeries and pain and suffering.
To have The Reiff Law Firm’s lawyers for retained surgical items in Philadelphia assess your case for free, call us now at (215) 709-6940.
Common Complications Caused by Retained Surgical Items in Philadelphia
When foreign objects remain in a patient’s body after surgery, the resulting complications could seriously disrupt the victim’s life and involve additional surgeries and corrective treatment in Philadelphia.
Foreign objects left in the body open the door to infections and other complications. Most often, retained foreign objects are gauze, sponges, or other surgical materials. Depending on the reason for your initial surgery, a retained item might impede the desired intent of the surgery itself, requiring you to get a corrective surgery in the future. Victims might experience general pain or discomfort due to retained foreign objects. Fistulas, adhesions, and other complications are also common with retained surgical objects.
If you have experienced any complications due to a recent surgery in Philadelphia, it is possible that the cause of those issues is a retained foreign surgical object. You may have to see another medical professional or doctor to confirm your suspicions. If a foreign object in your body is causing you complications, it will be important to remove it as soon as possible. Then, you can contact our lawyers for retained surgical items to assess your case and determine whether or not you have a claim. Most often, retained foreign objects are due to negligence on behalf of the surgical team and hospital, giving victims a reason to pursue compensatory damages in Philadelphia.
Parties that Are Commonly Liable for Retained Surgical Items in Philadelphia
When medical equipment or other items are left behind during surgery, patients might experience a wide range of complications. Because of this, it is important for victims to immediately identify the retained object and the party responsible for their damages.
Generally speaking, the surgeon in charge of the operation provides the top level of oversight for surgical teams. This individual could then be liable for any items retained during surgery, like gauze, instruments, or other objects commonly used during surgery.
The surgeon’s employer or the hospital could also be held responsible under vicarious liability. Employers can be sued for the negligent acts of their employees performed within the scope of their employment. This means you could sue both the surgeon and the hospital for medical malpractice in Philadelphia. While fixing a lawsuit against a hospital can be daunting, it may be necessary in order for you to recover compensation for your injuries.
The Deadline to Sue for Retained Surgical Items in Philadelphia
If, during surgery, the surgeon left behind an item that has caused you complications or other issues, you can sue for injury in Philadelphia. You will only have a certain amount of time to do this.
In general, victims have two years from the date of injury to file a medical malpractice lawsuit for items retained during surgery in Pennsylvania. That said, tolling for delayed discovery might apply to your case. It might be several days, weeks, or months before retained surgical items make their presence known to victims in Philadelphia. This can push back the filing deadline for your case, depending on when you discovered the cause of your complications.
Suing hospitals can be a difficult task, which is one of the reasons why bringing your medical malpractice claim as soon as possible will be important. Do not delay bringing your case, as doing so could cause complications regarding your financial recovery. Furthermore, you should not delay getting the retained surgical item removed. Waiting to do this might lead to avoidable complications or injuries.
Common Damages Caused by Retained Surgical Items in Philadelphia
Because Pennsylvania does not cap compensation in medical malpractice claims, victims can recover compensation for all damages related to injuries caused by retained surgical items.
When items are left behind during surgery, victims might experience complications requiring corrective surgery. At the very least, victims may need to get the foreign objects removed from their bodies. While medical treatment for injuries caused by retained surgical objects can be expensive, such costs can be covered by a lawsuit.
Compensation awarded in these cases can include other economic damages, such as lost wages. This means that if retained surgical items have caused you to miss time from work or you will be unable to work for some time following your corrective surgery, you can recover damages for such losses.
Going through another surgery or dealing with the complications caused by retained surgical items can be emotionally draining for victims in Philadelphia. Fortunately, Pennsylvania allows victims of medical malpractice to recover non-economic damages for pain and suffering.
It will be necessary to document all of your losses so that we can submit them as proof of damages in your compensation claim against a negligent surgeon or hospital. So, give our attorneys all bills and invoices related to your initial surgery and hospital stay, as well as information related to your subsequent economic and non-economic losses, whatever they might be.
Call Our Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyers Now
The Reiff Law Firm can evaluate your case for free when you call our lawyers for retained surgical items at (215) 709-6940.
