Surgical procedures, especially abdominal surgeries like hysterectomies, can carry significant risks. One of the more severe complications that can occur is the accidental cutting, nicking, or perforating of the bowel. Unfortunately, this type of surgical error can lead to life-threatening complications, including sepsis.
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our experienced medical malpractice attorneys have successfully handled cases where surgical errors led to severe harm. In this post, we’ll explore how bowel injuries occur during surgery, what medical malpractice involves, and what you should do if you’ve been harmed.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a surgical error such as a cut, nicked, or perforated bowel, it’s crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our experienced medical malpractice lawyers represent clients on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning you won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation at 833-997-1774 to learn more about your legal options and how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Is a Bowel Injury in Surgery?
During surgeries involving the abdomen, such as hysterectomies or other abdominal procedures, the bowel can be accidentally harmed. Surgeons are trained to avoid cutting, nicking, or perforating the bowel during surgery. Modern surgical tools, like ultrasonic or harmonic devices, are designed to cut or seal tissue efficiently, but if these devices come too close to the bowel, they can cause significant damage.
When a bowel is nicked or perforated, its contents can leak into the abdominal cavity, leading to severe infections, including sepsis. The severity of these injuries can be compounded when a doctor or surgeon fails to diagnose or treat the issue promptly.
How Do Bowel Injuries Lead to Medical Malpractice Claims?
Not every surgical complication is grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider, such as a doctor or surgeon, fails to meet the accepted standard of care, leading to harm. In cases involving bowel injuries during surgery, malpractice typically occurs in two ways:
- Immediate Surgical Mistake. If a surgeon realizes during the surgery that they have cut or nicked the bowel and takes corrective measures, even if it leads to extra surgical time or additional procedures, this may not necessarily constitute medical malpractice if no harm is suffered.
- Failure to Address Post-Surgical Symptoms. However, if a patient complains of severe pain, nausea, difficulty urinating, or other symptoms after surgery and the doctor dismisses or ignores these complaints, leading to a delay in treatment, this may be considered medical malpractice. The failure to recognize and treat a bowel perforation promptly can result in severe abdominal infections or sepsis, which can be life-threatening.
If you or a loved one suffered complications from a surgical error that went untreated or ignored, contacting a surgical error attorney can help you determine whether you have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Common Symptoms of a Surgical Error Involving Bowel Perforation
If a surgeon fails to address a bowel perforation during or after surgery, the patient can develop serious complications. Common symptoms of a perforated bowel or related infection include:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever or chills
- Difficulty urinating or passing gas
- Rapid heart rate
- Signs of sepsis (confusion, shortness of breath, extreme pain)
If you experience any of these symptoms after surgery, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately. If a doctor or surgeon fails to act on these symptoms, it may be time to consult with a medical malpractice lawyer.
Types of Medical Malpractice Claims Our Law Firm Handles
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our medical malpractice law firm has a proven track record of handling cases involving surgical errors and other forms of medical negligence. Some of the common types of medical malpractice claims we handle include:
- Surgical errors, such as cutting or perforating an organ during surgery
- Failure to diagnose or treat post-surgical complications, like sepsis or infections
- Anesthesia errors that cause harm during surgery
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, leading to incorrect or delayed treatment
- Medication errors, such as improper dosing or prescribing the wrong medication
- Failure to obtain informed consent before performing a procedure
- Negligence in postoperative care, leading to preventable complications
Our team of experienced malpractice attorneys is committed to fighting for victims who have been harmed by negligence and medical errors. If you believe you have a malpractice claim, we can help guide you through the legal process.
Why Bowel Injuries During Surgery Can Lead to Sepsis
One of the most serious complications that can arise from a nicked or perforated bowel is sepsis. Sepsis occurs when an infection spreads throughout the body, causing a life-threatening response. When the contents of the bowel leak into the abdominal cavity, they can cause a severe infection. If left untreated, this infection can quickly lead to sepsis, requiring emergency treatment and, in some cases, intensive care.
Sepsis can cause multiple organ failures, long-term health complications, and even death. If sepsis results from a surgical error that went unaddressed, a malpractice attorney can help you pursue compensation for the harm caused.
How a Surgical Error Lawyer Can Help
If you’ve suffered harm due to a bowel injury during surgery, or if your doctor failed to address symptoms of sepsis or infection, consulting with a surgical error attorney is critical. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our team will thoroughly investigate your case, review medical records, consult with expert witnesses, and build a strong claim on your behalf.
Here’s how our medical malpractice lawyers can help:
- Case Evaluation: We’ll assess your case to determine whether medical malpractice occurred and whether the surgical error could have been prevented.
- Medical Records Review: Our attorneys will carefully review all medical records and consult with medical experts to determine if the surgeon’s actions fell below the standard of care.
- Filing a Lawsuit: If malpractice is evident, our surgical error lawyers will guide you through filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, ensuring all legal deadlines are met.
- Negotiating for Compensation: Our experienced malpractice attorneys will work to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf, covering medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any future medical needs.
- Litigation: If necessary, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial to tenaciously fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Medical Malpractice Law Firm for a Free Consultation
If you believe that a doctor or surgeon’s mistake has caused you harm, it is critical to act quickly. Surgical errors can lead to severe complications, including sepsis, and holding negligent healthcare providers accountable is essential. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our medical malpractice attorneys represent victims of surgical errors and medical negligence. We offer free, confidential consultations and represent clients on a contingency-fee basis—meaning you won’t pay any legal fees unless recover compensation for you.
Contact our office today at 833-997-1774 to schedule your free consultation with a doctor malpractice lawyer and let us help you understand your legal options.