When Illinois parents are told that their children need surgery, they can feel helpless, anxious and scared. They trust that the surgeons have the best interests of their children in mind and will give them 110 percent. When a surgeon and/or his team fall short of that goal, surgical mistakes can cause serious, permanent or even fatal injuries.
The surgical risks that exist for adults can also afflict children. However, considering the fact that children’s bodies are smaller, there could be an increase in the risk of the surgeon nicking an organ, vein or artery. At the very least, the recovery time for your child could be longer and more complicated. At the worst, your child might not survive the surgery or live long after the procedure.
Some children are left with permanent injuries or disfigurement from a surgeon’s mistake. However, the risks do not always come from the procedure itself. The wrong dosage of anesthesia or a failure to monitor a child during the procedure can also have serious consequences. Furthermore, post-surgical monitoring and care are essential. A child’s immune system might not be fully developed, which leaves him or her more vulnerable to infections.
The fact is that any number of surgical mistakes can lead to your child suffering a serious or fatal injury during the operation. The care your child receives after the procedure could also be below acceptable medical standards. If you have reason to believe that your child was harmed either during or after a surgery, you retain the right to file a medical malpractice claim in an Illinois civil court against the party or parties who might be responsible.