What Happens If A Surgeon Makes A Mistake?

When you go into surgery, you typically hope that nothing goes wrong. Many people who undergo surgery are unwell and so the added stress of a medical mistake can be very difficult to deal with. Of course, if something does go wrong, there are certain things that happen in regard to the patient and the surgeon involved in the incident.

In this article, we are going to discuss some of the things that will happen if a surgeon makes a mistake during a procedure. Keep reading if this is something that you have experienced or if you are someone who actively works as a surgeon.

The Mistake Will Be Rectified

One of the first things that will usually happen when a mistake is made in surgery is that another surgeon will fix the mistake. If a patient is very ill then this is something that will need to happen right away, as long as it is still possible. Usually, the surgeon that has made the mistake will not perform another operation on the patient and a colleague will take over. This is to ensure that everything goes smoothly and to protect both the patient and the hospital.

Some patients might request to have their surgery done elsewhere if a mistake has been made the first time. This is something to consider if you are on either side of the mistake. You will want to make sure that you are getting the best possible healthcare.

An Investigation Takes Place

If the medical mistake is something that is very serious, there will usually be an internal investigation that takes place. Usually, the hospital will want to make sure that there is a good reason for the mistake and that the surgeon is trained accordingly. They might go ahead with punishing the surgeon by suspending them from their work or taking the investigation further.

The investigation is also important for those who want to make a claim as this is where evidence will come from.

A Claim Could Be Made

Another thing that will sometimes happen if a surgeon makes a mistake is that the patient or the patient’s family will put in a legal claim against them. This is standard procedure, especially if the patient has suffered some kind of loss as a result. This can be disappointing for the surgeon to have to go through but you will find that it is much more common than you think.

The good news for surgeons is that they are usually a part of a surgical indemnity scheme. This means that they are protected legally and financially for any kind of mistake that they make. While they might still lose their job in serious circumstances, they usually won’t have to pay too much in legal fees to protect themselves. Any surgeons without this kind of cover should make sure that they get it from a respected company quickly.

Conclusion

As scary as it sounds, surgeons make mistakes all of the time across the country. If you are someone who has been a victim of a surgical mistake then you should ensure that you pay close attention to the steps that you need to take. It might be worth getting in touch with a lawyer to ensure that you are not losing out on anything.

If you are a surgeon then you must make sure that you are protecting yourself both legally and financially. Make sure to consider everything that we have discussed here in this article and find the right legal cover for you.