The answer to this question depends largely on the circumstances related to your particular surgery. I can say, in general, suffering a perforated intestine during a procedure can be grounds for a medical malpractice claim, especially if the procedure is considered common by the medical community.
However, the laws in Virginia (VA) for medical malpractice are not very accommodating to victims so if we decide to pursue a claim, the process can be complex and challenging. Of course, if you’ve suffered a serious injury like a perforated intestine and believe it was due to your doctor’s negligence, we will seek justice through the litigation process.
To provide context, a perforated intestine involves a cut leading to a hole in the wall of your stomach, gallbladder, small intestine, etc. This type of injury is extremely dangerous since it can lead to a leak of your intestinal contents into your abdominal cavity, according to the National Institute of Health.
When a perforation occurs, you usually have to undergo another surgery to repair the damage. This usually leads to an extended recovery time and more money spent on medical bills.
The challenge many victims face is determining whether or not the doctor made a mistake that should have been prevented. Many doctors are not completely forthright about making a surgical error which is why you should consult with a medical malpractice lawyer in VA to figure out if the risk of a perforation occurring from your surgery was reasonable. In many instances, a perforation is an unacceptable medical mistake. Nevertheless, we would need to obtain a “certificate of merit” from a doctor who specializes in the same medical field as the doctor who performed your surgery before we can proceed with litigation. Like I said earlier, the process can get complex, but that should not deter you from talking with a lawyer and pursuing the damages you deserve.
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