When a doctor here in Illinois is providing surgical care to a patient, it is very important for the doctor to act properly during all of the stages of the care. Negligence during any of the stages of surgical care can be harmful to patients.
Recently, in another state, a case has come up involving allegations of negligent surgical care. The state in question is West Virginia.
A woman says that, on Oct. 13, 2011, a doctor performed a thyroid gland removal surgery on her. The woman alleges that the doctor acted improperly before, during and after the surgery.
According to the woman, when recommending the surgery, the doctor failed to properly inform her of the risks the surgery entailed. It is very important for doctors to properly inform patients of the potential risks of a surgical procedure they are recommending, as it allows a patient to make an informed decision when deciding whether or not to undergo a procedure.
The woman further claims that the doctor failed to comply with the applicable standard of care during the surgery.
The woman also alleges that, after the surgery, the doctor should have referred her to a specialist, but did not.
According to the woman, the doctor’s alleged negligence resulted in her losing the ability to speak.
A lawsuit has been brought by the woman against the doctor in relation to these accusations.
As the allegations in this case show, surgical negligence can have life-changing impacts on a patient.
If a person has suffered unexpected injuries in relation to a surgical procedure, they may wish to consider meeting with a medical malpractice attorney. A medical malpractice attorney can look over the details of the surgical care a person received to see if there is anything that indicates that negligence occurred and can help a person pursue a medical malpractice claim when appropriate.
Source: The West Virginia Record, “Woman says thyroidectomy left her unable to speak,” Joel Brakken, Oct. 22, 2013