Surgery negligence compensation claims

Surgery negligence compensation: Expert medical negligence solicitors

When we have surgery, whether it's major or minor, we place our lives in the hands of the medical professionals, trusting their judgement and expertise. Most operations go as planned, but sometimes mistakes happen. Surgical mistakes can have life-changing consequences. If you feel your treatment was sub-standard, our medical negligence specialists can help you. We understand what you're going through and we're here to give you a voice. Our practical, specialist advice can help you move forward.

What is surgery negligence?

All operations carry some risk, but whether it’s a major surgery or a routine operation, you have the right to expect a certain standard of care. Most of the time things go well, but occasionally mistakes happen.

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We work on a no win, no fee basis, so there’s no need to worry about costs. Plus, our specialist solicitors provide an initial free assessment of your claim.

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Examples of surgery negligence claims

Mistakes during surgery can cause long-term damage. Some of the most common examples of surgical negligence occur in operations to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) and hernia repair procedures. Other examples of surgical errors include:

not advising on the risks, benefits and other treatment options
operating on the wrong patient
operating on the wrong part of the body (wrong site surgery)
mistakes during the surgery (such as damaging healthy organs or damaging nerves, arteries or veins)
failing to notice damage to organs, such as the bowel and bladder during the procedure
problems with anaesthesia during the surgery (for example, too little anaesthesia so the patient is conscious during surgery)
problems with blood transfusions, such as being treated with contaminated blood, being given the wrong blood type or being given a transfusion in error
leaving surgical instruments or swabs inside the body after surgery
delays in diagnosing post-operative complications such as infection, injuries to the bladder and bowel.

If you’re concerned about how your surgery went and want to know if you have a claim, talk to one of our medical negligence solicitors.

How a compensation claim can help

If a surgery has gone wrong, it can have life-changing implications. A compensation claim can provide financial security and if your ability to work is impacted, the settlement may provide financial security for the rest of your life.

Surgery negligence FAQs

Why would a gallbladder removal operation need to be performed?

The most common reason for removal of the gallbladder is because the patient has painful gallstones which have been a persistent problem and cannot be treated via a different method.

It is possible that some patients may find that gallstones do not cause any symptoms. However, occasionally the presence of gallstones can stop the flow of bile which causes significant pain for the patient (in the upper abdomen region). The severity of the pain may mean that surgery is necessary. It is also possible that some patients may be at risk of jaundice.

What are the most common causes of negligence during a gallbladder operation?

The majority of gallbladder operations are performed successful. However, mistakes can be made by the surgeon.

For example, a surgeon may make an error when trying to decipher the complicated anatomy surrounding the gall bladder. This can result in metal clips (used during the procedure) being placed on the incorrect ducts, which can lead to severe and permanent damage.

A further operation called a Roux-en-Y may then be necessary. This procedure creates a new pathway for bile to flow from the liver to the small intestine.