Key Takeaways
- Surgery center patients face all the risks of hospital surgery and more, and those hurt by surgical errors may be entitled to compensation.
- Surgery centers are typically physician-owned, and common errors include improper sterilization, lack of oversight, premature discharge, equipment malfunction, and lack of accreditation.
- The doctor, surgery center, or another party may be liable, depending on the cause and whether the doctor is an owner, employee, or contractor.
- Damages may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earning potential, plus pain and suffering and emotional distress.
- Oregon has no cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice claims, with the exception of wrongful death lawsuits.
In this article
- Compassionate Legal Representation in Portland
- Why Choose Our Portland Surgical Error Lawyer?
- What Are Common Surgery Center Errors and Causes?
- Liability for a Surgical Error in Portland
- What Damages Can I Recover for My Injuries?
- Why You Need a Portland Surgical Error Attorney
- Contact Us Today For Your Free Consultation
Compassionate Legal Representation in Portland
Surgical ErrorsWatch
Ambulatory surgery centers provide an alternative to hospitalization for patients undergoing surgical procedures. Surgery centers provide outpatient surgery services, typically at less cost and with greater convenience than a traditional hospital setting. On the downside, patients in surgery centers face all the risks associated with surgery in a hospital and more. If you have been injured because of a surgical error in
Speak to a Portland Medical Malpractice Lawyer for Assistance Today
Portland or throughout Oregon, contact our Portland surgical error attorney at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC to request a consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
Why Choose Our Portland Surgical Error Lawyer?
- Proven track record: We are tough advocates for injured people with a successful track record of recovering compensation for our clients.
- Laser-focused attention: We maintain a smaller caseload, so we can provide the attention your case deserves.
- Skillful negotiation: Our Portland medical malpractice attorneys can negotiate skillfully on your behalf and will not hesitate to go to trial if necessary to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.
- Decades of experience: We have more than 50 years of combined experience along with an excellent reputation.
Portland Surgical Error Involving Robotic Surgery:
Before surgery, our client was active and in good health. He attended regular medical appointments and followed his physician’s recommendations. He was advised that robotic surgery for a routine procedure would reduce pain and recovery time, and he agreed to proceed based on that information.
During the procedure, a critical artery was mistakenly sewn shut, compromising blood flow to the heart. The patient, who had no prior heart disease, suffered permanent cardiac damage and is now on the heart transplant list.
This injury was not the result of an unavoidable complication. It involved failures in surgical technique, judgment, oversight, and risk management, as well as reliance on technology without appropriate safeguards. The surgeon had previously injured other patients using the same system.
At Paulson Coletti, we represent patients harmed by preventable surgical errors and failures in medical and corporate accountability. These cases are about enforcing standards of care and addressing known risks before patients are harmed.
“At Paulson Coletti, ‘liberty and justice for all’ is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
What Are Common Surgery Center Errors and Causes?
Unlike hospitals, surgery centers are typically owned by physicians or physician groups. They may not have rigorous risk management procedures in place to minimize patient risk. Common surgery center errors include:
- Failure to properly sterilize equipment: When detailed guidelines for sterilizing surgical areas and equipment are lacking, patients may face the risk of serious infection.
- Lack of oversight: Surgery centers are smaller than hospitals and have fewer staff members to monitor patients and ensure that all staff are performing to the necessary standards. Without sufficient oversight, medical errors can occur, such as administering the wrong medication or the wrong dosage to a patient.
- Premature discharge: Surgery centers are designed to get patients in and out. However, some patients require an overnight stay. An injury may result when a surgery center discharges a patient who needs additional care and monitoring.
- Equipment malfunction: When surgery centers lack adequate policies for checking to ensure equipment is functioning properly, patients can be injured if equipment malfunctions.
- Lack of accreditation: Many states do not require accreditation for surgery centers unless they accept Medicare or private insurance. Lack of accreditation means fewer safety guidelines and greater patient risk.
Liability for a Surgical Error in Portland
The doctor, surgery center, or another party may be liable for a patient’s injuries caused by medical error, depending on what caused the injury and whether the doctor is an owner, employee, or private contractor. Our experienced personal injury attorney in Portland can investigate your injuries to determine who is the responsible party.
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
What Damages Can I Recover for My Injuries?
After serious injuries caused by surgery center errors, you may be entitled to recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earning potential. Non-economic damages include fewer tangible losses, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress. In Oregon, unlike other states, there is no cap on non-economic damages for medical malpractices claims, with the exception of wrongful death lawsuits in Portland.
Let us help fight for your Medical Malpractice Claim
Why You Need a Portland Surgical Error Attorney
An experienced surgical error lawyer in Portland can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Surgery center error and other medical malpractice cases are complex legal matters, requiring specific knowledge, skills, and resources. Our Portland lawyers at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC have extensive experience and a history of success handling medical malpractice cases.
Contact Us Today For Your Free Consultation
Surgery center errors can have devastating, long-term effects for patients. If you have been injured by surgery center medical malpractice, contact Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC today for a free case consultation or by calling 503-226-6361