Maryland Attorney for Paralysis Caused by Surgery

Surgery always presents risks. You put your trust in your surgeon and the entire surgical team to safely perform the procedure. When complications arise that threaten your health or life, you expect your surgeon to act appropriately to ensure your well-being. If your surgeon acts negligently or makes an unjustified mistake or decision resulting in paralysis, your life can be altered forever.

If you have suffered a catastrophic injury due to your surgeon’s negligent conduct, contact our Maryland attorney for paralysis caused by surgery. the knowledgeable attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras will fight for appropriate compensation for the impact paralysis had on your life. Call (410) 694-7291 to schedule a free consultation.

Medical Malpractice in Surgical Paralysis Cases in Maryland

Surgery has inherent risks, no matter how minor the operation. Surgical mistakes are preventable errors that occur during surgery. However, just because a surgical mistake occurred does not necessarily mean you have been a victim of medical malpractice.

Medical treatment, including surgery, must adhere to an accepted standard of care. If your surgeon negligently deviated from the accepted standard care and caused your paralysis, your surgeon may be liable for your injuries. Our Maryland medical malpractice attorneys have the knowledge and resources to determine if your injury was the result of negligent conduct or merely a risk of surgery.

Surgical Errors Causing Paralysis in Maryland Hospitals

Surgery is complicated, and no two procedures are the same. the range of potential errors and medical complications that can result in paralysis is vast and includes the following:

Anesthesia Errors

Before any surgical procedure, anesthesia is administered to induce a temporary state of loss of sensation and awareness. Several anesthesia-related mistakes can lead to catastrophic results. For instance, if an anesthesiologist incorrectly administers oxygen during the procedure or fails to monitor a patient’s vital signs, the patient may experience life-threatening complications such as brain damage.

A possible complication of general anesthesia is brain hypoxia. Hypoxia is a condition in which the brain does not receive enough oxygen. If an anesthesiologist fails to monitor a patient’s vital signs or makes an unreasonable mistake when supplying oxygen, the brain can be dangerously deprived of oxygen, resulting in brain damage. Consequences of brain hypoxia can range from mild effects like muscle weakness to severe effects like complete paralysis.

Surgical Infections

It is not uncommon for a patient to get an infection after a surgical procedure. These infections are a significant cause of illness and death, resulting in devastating emotional, economic, and medical consequences for many patients. For example, mistakes can occur during a urological procedure. A surgeon’s error in performing this surgery could introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, resulting in an infection and potential paralysis.

A respiratory or digestive bacterial infection can develop into Guillain-Barré syndrome. This condition occurs when the body’s immune system attacks part of its own nervous system, leading to muscle weakness or complete paralysis.

Infections acquired during and after surgery are not uncommon. Many times, they are the direct result of negligent conduct by the surgeon, surgical team, or hospital staff. Preventable errors that lead to infection range from inadequately washing one’s hands or poorly sterilizing medical instruments to failing to properly sanitize the operating facility.

Postoperative Infections

Infections can also occur after surgery while the patient is recovering. Careful monitoring is vital to the health and recovery of a patient. If an infection develops and the medical staff fails to diagnose or provide treatment, it could develop into a more severe infection. For example, if bacterial meningitis is negligently overlooked, it can lead to paralysis or death.

Surgical Errors

Surgeons need to be precise in their movements, cuts, and incisions. Attentive care is especially required if the surgery is on or near the spine or brain. A careless incision can severely damage nerves, causing paralysis.

Another surgical error that can cause paralysis involves leaving medical instruments inside a patient after surgery. While the vast majority of the items left behind are sponges, a scalpel or another sharp tool can damage nerves or tissue. If you have suffered nerve damage or paralysis because a surgeon negligently left a medical instrument inside your body, contact our Maryland medical malpractice attorney.

A surgeon may also lack the necessary experience to competently address an unforeseen complication. Critical mistakes can occur if a surgeon does not have expertise in a particular area of surgery, leading to paralysis or other injuries.

Secondary Complications of Temporary Paralysis from Surgical Errors in Maryland Hospitals

Sometimes the paralysis after surgery is only temporary. However, there are still several secondary adverse medical conditions that can occur because of that paralysis. For example, a patient may experience blood clots, depression, bedsores, incontinence, or complications due to organ damage. Even the mildest forms of temporary paralysis can weaken muscles and impact a patient’s well-being and ability to work. If you have experienced any adverse complications due to paralysis caused by a medical professional’s negligent conduct, contact our Maryland medical malpractice attorney for paralysis after surgery.

Call Our Maryland Attorney for Paralysis Caused by Surgery for a Free Consultation

Paralysis after surgery can be a devastating life event that leads to long-lasting nerve damage, nursing care, years of physical therapy, costly medical care, disability, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If you suffer from a surgical injury due to the negligent conduct of your surgeon or another member of the medical staff, contact the Maryland attorneys for paralysis caused by surgery at Rice, Murtha & Psoras. Call (410) 694-7291 today to schedule a free case consultation.