Laparoscopic Surgery Medical Malpractice

Laparoscopic surgery is considered to be a less invasive type of surgery than an open surgery. While the risks are also considered to be lower, unfortunately there are times when complications occur. Sometimes even if every step of the procedure is performed correctly, complications can occur. However, there are times when complications occur that could have been entirely avoided. Complications can range from minor to severe, including death. When a patient is harmed as a result of a surgeon’s mistake during the procedure, it is considered to be laparoscopic surgery medical malpractice. 

 

What is Laparoscopic Surgery?

 

Laparoscopic surgery refers to a surgical procedure in which small incisions are made and a tool known as a laparoscope is is inserted containing a camera and a light, allowing the surgeon to see the area that needs to be repaired. Gas is typically injected into the body part that is being repaired, allowing for better visualization of the area in need of repair. The surgeon is then able to use the laparoscope to repair the area that needs to be repaired. One of the many benefits of laparoscopic surgery is it often reduces or eliminates the need for hospitalization, and is supposed to lower the risk of complications. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and significant complications can occur as a result of medical malpractice. 

 

Common Indications for Laparoscopic Surgery

 

There are many reasons as to why an individual may require laparoscopic surgery. Indications for this type of surgery include the following: 

 

• Organ removal, such as an appendix
• Removal of scar tissue
• Hernia repair
• For visualization of a tumor
• For diagnostic reasons
• Removal of cysts or tumors
• Treatment for many disorders, including urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse

 

Complications From Laparoscopic Surgery Due to Medical Malpractice

 

• Infection
• Difficulty urinating
• Pain
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Bowel perforation
• Hematoma
• Hypothermia
• Hypertension during the procedure
• Need for open surgery
• Respiratory acidosis
• Wrongful death

 

Laparoscopic Surgery Medical Malpractice

 

While as mentioned above, not every complication from a laparoscopic surgery is due to medical malpractice, there are times when these complications can occur as a result of a surgeon’s error. This is never ok and is a result of negligence. People who endure complications from laparoscopic complications due to medical malpractice may face serious injuries, extended hospital stays, permanent disability, or even death. Examples of medical malpractice in relation to laparoscopic surgery include the following:

 

• Perforation of the bowel
• Failure to correct an injure
• Failure to properly monitor the patient 
• Failure to use antibiotics if indicated
• Insertion of too much air into the body cavity, leading to a variety of complications
• Injury to other nearby organs and structures
• Failure to properly monitor the patient during the procedure
• Failure to use sterile technique, leading to infection
• Puncture of a vital structure such as the aorta
• Electrical burns
• Failure to recognize a complication has occurred during or after the surgery, leading to a decline in a patient’s condition
• Need for an additional surgery due to a mistake made by the surgeon 

 

Compensation for Laparoscopic Surgery Medical Malpractice

 

Victims who have suffered serious personal injuries from laparoscopic surgery medical malpractice may be entitled to combination for their “damages.” Under Oregon law, damages are the measure of relief that a party to a lawsuit can obtain.  There are many different types of damages, all which could result in serious compensation for very injured individual.  The most common types of compensation include the following:

 

• Pain and suffering – this includes both past and future pain and suffering that result in serious agony and damages to a person, and is the conscious pain they feel due to medical malpractice.  The two types are past pain and suffering from the date of the accident to the date of payment, and future pain and suffering from the date of payment for the rest of a person’s life expectancy.
• Medical bills – this includes past and present medical bills due to the medical malpractice and injuries that a person sustains
• Lost wages – the lost wages from the medical malpractice, personal injuries, disability, surgeries, days off of work, and other damages
• Loss of consortium which includes compensation for loss of society and relationship with spouses and loved one from medical malpractice, which is spouses, parents, and children, as well as other sibling for dependents 
• Need for modifications of a home or vehicle due to a permanent disability
• Punitive damages for truly egregious medical malpractice, and
• Other damages due to the medical mistakes of a defendant.

 

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

 

Victims have to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations period.  This is a time period that is set by the legislature.  The failure to file a lawsuit within this time period may result in the denial of your claim without the merits being heard.  The time period can change based on numerous factors.  Thus, no lawyer can give you a straight answer without evaluating your case.  Always get your case evaluated before guessing how long you believe you may have.

 

Get Help With Laparoscopic Surgery Medical Malpractice in Oregon

 

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

 

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

 

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.