Going to the hospital for spinal surgery can represent one of the most stressful and consequential moments in a person’s life. Sometimes, the only thing helping to keep a patient’s anxiety levels manageable before spine surgery is their confidence they will be well cared for by the doctors, nurses, and other personnel involved in the operation. However, if a spine surgery error occurs, it can have extremely severe consequences, including permanent disability.
Since there are several different types of spinal surgeries, it should not be surprising to find that spinal injuries in neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery can likewise take a variety of forms. If you have been harmed during back surgery and need to hire a medical malpractice attorney in Michigan to investigate your spinal injury claim, here are some examples of the different types of spinal surgery malpractice cases that Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, is available to assist with:
- Operations on the wrong vertebrae or an otherwise incorrect section of the spine
- Misdiagnosis leading to unnecessary surgery
- Failure to diagnose post-op issues like infections and hematomas
- Excessive blood loss during operation
- Improper placement of surgical hardware, like rods and screws, leading to pain, limited motion, and a need for additional surgeries
- Surgical objects, tools, or foreign material left inside a patient’s body during surgery
- Botched incisions which cause spinal fluid leakage
- Damage to nerves, nerve roots, and cauda equina
The above is only a list of common examples. There are many other types of cases our highly qualified medical malpractice team can investigate. Whether you have a complex, unique medical malpractice situation and aren’t sure how to start an injury claim, or you’re just starting your research and need help understanding Michigan’s complicated medical malpractice laws, our Ann Arbor-based medical malpractice litigators are only a call or click away.
Knowing When to Hire a Spinal Injuries Attorney
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, in the United States, over 1.2 million spinal surgeries are performed each year, with many people experiencing unexpected outcomes afterward. It becomes especially difficult if hospital staff try to hide or minimize issues rather than confronting them with the dedication and transparency patients deserve.
An experienced medical malpractice attorney from Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, can help review your case, collect necessary evidence, and figure out exactly where you stand relative to Michigan’s medical malpractice laws. A spine surgery error is a devastating and catastrophic experience, but you don’t have to face it alone. With their dedicated assistance and powerful legal solutions, you will receive the support and resources you need to put the experience behind you.
Understanding Spinal Surgery Errors and Medical Malpractice
Spine surgery errors that result in significant harm, while relatively rare, are an unfortunate reality of the medical world. Recent high-profile cases in the United States have seen substantial verdicts awarded in court to patients permanently paralyzed by the negligent actions of spine surgeons. While errors are not common, such as a wrong-level spine surgery that occurs in less than 1% of cases. If one occurs, the long-term effects on your spine and overall health can be disastrous.
There are many great doctors in Michigan, and most folks who undergo a needed back surgery are well cared for by dedicated and talented surgical teams. Unfortunately, this positive experience is not the case for every patient, and people around the country are affected by medical malpractice due to spinal procedures every year, including right here in Michigan.
This is certainly no secret within the neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery fields, where significant resources and in-depth studies are committed to finding ways to mitigate spine surgery malpractice lawsuits. One such review, synthesizing the findings of more than 20 previous papers on spinal surgery malpractice claims, states that spinal surgery is one of the leading causes for lawsuits in the United States. It lists procedural error, rather than miscommunication, as the most common reason for litigation in cases involving elective procedures. In emergency surgery cases, failure to treat and failure to diagnose similarly outnumber miscommunication-based claims.
The statistics lead one to wonder why the proposed solutions focus on communication and reducing the number of claims filed, rather than simply eliminating surgical errors. In Michigan, injured patients have powerful legal rights. If your surgeon or medical team injures you by way of surgical error or mishap, you have the right to seek answers.
FAQs About Michigan Surgical Errors Lead to Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
If I Believe There Was a Surgical Error, What Should I Do?
If you suspect you are a victim of medical malpractice, you should reach out to a trained and trusted attorney quickly so that they can handle the legal side of things.
How Long Does It Take to Heal?
The length of time it takes for a back surgery incision to heal will vary depending on the specific type of surgery being conducted, as well as the patient’s body type and unique health factors. Studies have shown one in five people notice a resurgence in their pre-surgery symptoms after surgery, but this should resolve quickly through proper pain management and post-op care.
The length of time spent rehabilitating after back surgery before a person can bend over depends on the unique circumstances of each case. Your physical therapist can give you a timeline to aim for, but it’s crucial to remember that recovering from surgery isn’t a race, and every person’s experience is unique.
How to Relieve Pain After Back Surgery?
There are various methods suggested for relieving pain after back surgery, but it is important to get personalized feedback from the doctor who knows you and your health history. Relying on generic health advice from the internet can, unfortunately, have adverse effects on your spinal health over the long term.
Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, Michigan’s Trusted Surgical Injury and Spinal Surgery Malpractice Attorney
If you went in for a major back surgery and left worse off than before, you deserve answers. The talented medical malpractice team at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, is ready to help. Contact us today to make an appointment for a private consultation session.
