Surgical Errors

Over Half of all Adverse Surgical Events are the Result of Human Error

Published on: September 19, 2019 | by Arfaa Law Group

Even through surgical procedures and techniques have rapidly evolved over the last few decades, the realty is that surgeons often make mistakes. If you or a person you love has been injured by a surgical error or negligence, our Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers can help you and your family. We understand how a patient can be blindsided by a poorly executed surgery. Not only does the patient have to deal with physical pain, he or she typically also has to deal with lost income and the high cost of medical bills. We will thoroughly examine your case and help you figure out your next steps.

Researchers recently examined surgical adverse events that took place over a six-month time frame. The study, published in the Journal of American Medical Association, shows more than 50 percent of surgical adverse events were the result of human error. Of the 5,300 surgical procedures that were looked at by the study, adverse events took place in 188 cases and comprised of: death, infection, bleeding, neurological problems, and hospital re-hospitalization. Of the 188 adverse events, human errors were recognized in 106 (in excess of half) of these events. Lack of attentiveness, lack of recognition or cognitive bias was determined to cause more than half of the human errors. More than 54.8 percent took place during surgery, 8 percent took place before the surgery and 26.6. percent occurred after the surgery. The adverse event occurrence rates were categorized in the following way:

Performing the procedure – 51.6%
Planning or resolving problems – 29.3%
Communicating – 12.8%
Working with teams- 4.8%
Violating rules – 3.2%

Unprofessional or Rude Behavior by Surgeons can Negatively Impact Patient Outcomes

Published on: July 19, 2019 | by Arfaa Law Group

Surgical errors can have catastrophic consequences for a patient as well as his or her loved ones. If you sustained an injury due to a surgeon’s neglect, you may have a medical malpractice lawsuit on your hands. Our Baltimore surgery malpractice advocates will take our time reviewing your case and help you understand your legal rights and options following a medical mishap.

A study recently printed in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that patients of surgeons who acted unprofessionally around their colleagues were more likely to have complications following surgery. In fact, surgeons who exhibit unprofessional conduct can weaken the performance of their teams, the researchers found, potentially putting patient safety at risk.

To conduct the study, data from almost 13,7000 patients and 202 surgeons from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program were used. Researchers examined post-surgery reports to determine whether the surgeons’ colleagues reported any of the following conduct: uncertain or ill-mannered communication, poor or unsafe care, lack of integrity and failing to follow through on professional obligations.

Doctor Burnout Costs US Healthcare System Billions Every Year

Published on: June 20, 2019 | by Arfaa Law Group

Physician burnout puts patient safety at risk and leads to potentially devastating errors. If you have been injured because of medical negligence that you believe was caused due to physician burnout, our Baltimore medical injury attorneys can help you learn more about your rights and options. With extensive experience in Maryland malpractice law, we understand how to investigate complex medical injury claims and protect your rights based on the facts.

Sadly, burnout is common for doctors. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion characterized by excessive and prolonged stress. It happens when a doctor is overwhelmed and unable to meet demands. which can lead to feelings of cynicism, worry and doubt. Physicians across the United States deal with symptoms of burnout at almost twice the rate of other workers, often pointing to reasons such as long hours, concerns about being sued, and dealing with workplace bureaucracy like filling out time-consuming electronic medical records.

While we know that doctor burnout is bad for both the physician and his or her patients, it is also extremely expensive. A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that doctor burnout costs the US healthcare system approximately $4.6 billion a year. To draw this conclusion, researchers analyzed information such as recent reports and research – including direct or inferred findings on physicians cutting back on hours or quitting as a result of burnout. A mathematical model was then used to estimate the cost of burnout, focusing on the price tag of replacing doctors and lost wages from vacant positions.

Apologizing Does Not Decrease Medical Malpractice Liability, Study Finds

Published on: April 25, 2019 | by Arfaa Law Group

Medical professionals have an obligation to provide competent care to each and every patient. Sadly, this does not always happen. If you have been injured by a medical professional’s negligence, our diligent and hard-working Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys can help you hold the at-fault party accountable. We will investigate the facts of your case and try our best to get you the compensation you deserve.

A new study published in the Stanford Law Review found that laws passed in 39 states over the last twenty years, which were intended to decrease medical malpractice litigation by protecting physicians who apologized for their errors, are not working. The aforementioned laws were passed based on case studies indicating that apologies from physicians to patients could promote healing and encourage patients to settle their claims outside of court. However, new research shows that when a patient is made aware that his or her doctor committed a medical error, the patient’s incentive to sue can actually increase even though the apology itself cannot be used as evidence of malpractice under the apology laws.

For surgeons, the research found that saying sorry did not impact either the number of lawsuits that were filed or the percentage of lawsuits filed that actually went to trial. For non-surgeons, on the other hand, laws requiring an apology had a worse effect. In fact, claims in states with apology law were 46 percent more prone to end up in a lawsuit. The monetary awards to patients of non-surgeons more than doubled in states with apology laws when compared to states without such laws.

Deceased Woman’s Family Wins Medical Malpractice Claim

Published on: March 18, 2019 | by Arfaa Law Group

If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one due to what you believe may have been medical negligence pertaining to laser lead extraction, you should immediately reach out to a trusted Baltimore medical malpractice attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, we are committed to holding careless physicians responsible for the pain and heartache they inflict on patients. We know this is a difficult time for you and your family and that is precisely why we will navigate your claim with the utmost compassion.

Recent Laser Lead Extraction Lawsuit

After a two-week trial, an Illinois jury handed down a unanimous verdict recently finding a hospital guilty of medial malpractice. The lawsuit was filed after a 64-year-old man went through a laser extraction program to remove a pacemaker and later died in a hospital Cath Lab where the heart and blood vessels were perforated by the laser. The complaint alleged that the patient was the victim of a poorly prepared staff that not only perforated his heart but also was unable to respond to the injury in a timely manner. The family will now receive over $2 million as compensation for their loss.

Study Finds that Doctors often Win Facial Trauma Medical Malpractice Cases

Published on: March 5, 2019 | by Arfaa Law Group

If you or someone close to you has suffered a facial injury because of a surgeon’s negligence, you need a skilled Baltimore medical malpractice attorney on your side. At Arfaa Law Group, we have handled countless Maryland medical malpractice claims and can apply our experience and skill to your case. We understand that every case is unique, which is why we proudly provide unique and personalized representation to each and every client.

The Study

A new study published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery found that outcomes in facial trauma lawsuits typically favor doctors, with almost 75 percent of cases being dismissed prior to trial. The study is the first of its kind focusing on facial trauma litigation. The findings reveal that around 15 percent of plastic surgeons face a medical malpractice lawsuit every year. The researchers examined 69 incidents from 1913 to 2016. Approximately three quarters of the plaintiffs with jaw injuries or numerous facial fractures were men. If you look at all the cases that went to trial, 58 percent were tried by a judge while 38 percent were tried by a jury. Almost 75 percent of cases were ultimately decided in favor of the doctors, 19 percent on behalf of the patient, 3 percent reached a settlement and 3 percent had an unknown conclusion. In addition, the study found that outcomes of facial trauma claims varied depending on the region of the country.

Colorado Woman Dies 9 Months After Healthy Kidneys Were Mistakenly Removed

Published on: February 21, 2019 | by Arfaa Law Group

Unfortunately, surgery errors injure countless patients in Maryland and across the country every year. When surgical mistakes injure a patient, the patient and his or her family are left guessing how such a mistake occurred and what legal options are available to them. If you have suffered harm and you believe it was because of a surgeon’s negligence, our experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys can help. At Arfaa Law Group, we are devoted to holding negligent medical professionals accountable.

An elderly woman who had both her healthy kidneys removed in what she alleged to be an erroneous surgery recently died, nine months following the procedure. She suffered a cardiac arrest and remained unconscious before she was declared dead. After her kidneys were removed, the woman was going through several hours of dialysis three days a week and was waiting to get on the national transplant waiting list. Physicians then allegedly confirmed she never had kidney cancer at all. The hospital reportedly never indicated what led to the misdiagnosis. At that point, the woman filed a medical negligence claim against the hospital, claiming that she would not have agreed to have her kidneys removed if the doctors at the hospital had not strongly advised her to do so. The hospital may now be sued for wrongful death as well.

Surgeons Under Stress Make More Mistakes While Operating; Study Says

Published on: February 14, 2019 | by Arfaa Law Group

Undergoing surgery can be a scary experience. Patients expect to receive competent care from their surgeons and assisting nurses but, sadly, this does not always happen. If you have suffered an injury because of what you believe to be a surgeon’s error or negligence, it is important to understand your rights. At Arfaa Law Group, our Baltimore surgery malpractice attorneys will examine the circumstances surrounding your injury and advise you accordingly. You can take comfort in knowing that we will handle your case diligently and compassionately.

The Study

Medical mistakes cause between 250,000- 440,000 deaths every year in the U.S., with a number of those mistakes taking place in the operating room. A recently published study conducted by Columbia University highlights that in moments of high stress in the operating room (OR), surgeons make up to 66 percent more errors on patients. Utilizing technology that measured the electrical activity of a surgeon’s heart, researchers discovered that during periods of short-term stress such as those caused by a bad thought or loud noise in the OR, surgeons are more likely make errors that can lead to bleeding, torn tissue or burns. The results could help develop future protocol designed to reduce acute short-term stress on surgeons while they are performing procedures.

Maryland Appellate Reinstates Medical Malpractice Verdict After Addressing Jury Instruction Issue

Published on: February 6, 2019 | by Arfaa Law Group

Unfortunately, medical mistakes are routinely the cause of injury to patients in Maryland. If you or a family member has suffered undue harm because of medical negligence, our highly skilled Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys can help. At Arfaa Law Group, we will investigate your case and come up with a legal strategy accordingly.

The Case

In Armacost v. Davis, the plaintiff went to see a neurosurgeon after years of neck and shoulder pain, as well as numbness in his right hand. After discussing various options, the plaintiff agreed to undergo four-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery. After the surgery, the plaintiff initially recovered well but then had to go to the emergency room a number of times due to a pinpoint opening at the end of his incision and, later, due to chest pain and periodic numbness in his left arm. Later, the pinpoint opening became an abscess and tested positive for a bacterial infection.

The plaintiff filed a medical malpractice claim against the neurosurgeon, claiming the procedure he underwent was not medically required and was inappropriate for someone of his age with his medical history. In addition, the plaintiff claimed that the defendant and the hospital took too long to diagnose and treat the post-operative infection. The defendant, on the other hand, argued that the diagnosis and treatment provided adhered to the appropriate standard of care.

Woman Sues Surgeon Over Reconstructive Surgery

Published on: January 3, 2019 | by Arfaa Law Group

Whenever anyone undergoes surgery, there are risks. In these nerve-wracking situations, we trust our physicians to provide competent care. If you or your loved one has been injured due to a surgeon’s error, you need to contact a reputable Baltimore surgery malpractice attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, we will meticulously examine the merits of your claim and create a personalized legal strategy accordingly. Our team is committed to fighting for the rights of each and every client, and you should note that we proudly serve clients throughout Maryland.

Recently, a woman claimed that she needed additional surgery due to the negligence of a Chicago doctor who performed reconstructive surgery on her after a mastectomy. The woman filed a lawsuit against her doctor as well as against the hospital where the procedure took place. According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through a mastectomy. A few months later, she went through reconstructive surgery, after which an implant rotated necessitating further surgery. While this case took place in Illinois, sadly, these types of injuries are all too common in Maryland as well.

Surgery Malpractice in Maryland

All surgeons owe their patients a certain level of care. When this level of care is not adhered to, the consequences can be devastating, long lasting and even permanent for a patient and his or her family. In order to prevail in a medical malpractice case, you must establish that the standard of care was not followed and that the deviation from the standard of care was a direct cause of patient harm. The standard of care refers to the level of care and caution that a reasonably competent medical professional in the same specialty would have used under the same or similar circumstances.