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Individuals who have experienced an injury or developed a medical condition as a result of complications related to gallbladder surgery may be able to hold the surgeon liable for his or her actions that led to the injury. In the event this type of situation occurs, the individual may want to pursue a medical malpractice case and seek compensation for damages.
What is Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery?
During laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, a surgeon inserts a small camera into the patient’s body via a minor incision into the abdominals. This allows the surgeon to gain a clear visual image of the abdominal organs, including the gallbladder. Since the components of the gallbladder such as the bile ducts are relatively small and fairly close to each other, it is essential that the surgeon is careful and meticulous during gallbladder surgery. The bile ducts are a significant source of bacteria which can leak into the abdominal cavity and cause a life-threatening infection if the surgeon severs the bile duct during surgery. A dangerous infection is just one of the risks associated with laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.
Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery Complications and Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice becomes an issue when complications occur or if the patient suffers an injury during laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. These injuries or complications can cause lead to the development of a permanent medical issue, disability, or even death. Sepsis, an abscess, bile leakage, and nicking of the bile duct are examples of the complications that can occur during laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. Cholangitis, which is an infection that occurs as a result of inflammation of the bile ducts, is an additional complication that may also occur.
Proving Medical Negligence
Providing evidence that the surgeon behaved in a negligent manner is an essential component in cases of medical malpractice. Although the elements that have to be proven may vary for each state, an individual must usually provide three key pieces of evidence in order for his or her case to be successful. These elements include proving that the surgeon violated the standard of care when performing the surgery, that this standard of care violation was a direct cause of the injury the patient suffered, and that the injury the patient sustained during the surgery caused wrongful death or permanent disability.
Receiving Compensation
An individual has the potential to receive numerous types of compensation when he or she pursues a medical malpractice case for laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. Although types of compensation will vary for each jurisdiction, it is possible for individuals to receive compensation for the costs of medical bills, loss of income, compensatory damages, pain and suffering, loss of future earnings, and punitive damages.
Legal Assistance
Cases of medical malpractice that involve injuries or complications that occurred during laparoscopic gallbladder surgery are often complex and may take a considerable amount of time. For these reasons, an individual must contact a medical malpractice attorney to determine if there is an adequate amount of evidence to proceed with the case and types of compensation that he or she may receive.