Key Takeaways
- Surgical errors range from operating on the wrong body part to leaving an instrument inside a patient.
- Maryland hospitals report hundreds of serious adverse events each year, and retained objects remain one of the most common surgical mistakes.
- Patients harmed by a preventable surgical error may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim under Maryland law.
A Silver Spring surgical error lawyer handles cases involving preventable mistakes that occur before, during, or after an operation. These mistakes range from wrong-site procedures and retained surgical instruments to anesthesia errors and delayed treatment once a patient has left the operating room. Knowing how often these errors happen, and who may be responsible, helps patients recognize when a difficult outcome could have been prevented.
How Often Do Surgical Errors Happen?
Maryland tracks serious hospital mistakes every year, since state law requires hospitals to report them. In fiscal year 2023, the health department received 957 adverse event reports statewide, and more than half of the surgical events involved a foreign object left behind after a procedure. That means common surgical errors Silver Spring hospitals report still happen more often than most patients realize.
Wrong-Site and Wrong-Patient Surgery
A wrong-site surgery happens when a surgeon operates on the wrong body part, side, or even the wrong patient. For example, a surgical team preparing for a knee replacement could operate on the wrong knee if staff skip the final site check before the incision. Reviewing common surgical mistakes such as these helps patients spot warning signs early.
Retained Surgical Instruments and Foreign Objects
Retained objects are the most frequently reported surgical mistake in Maryland. Items left behind after a procedure can include:
- Sponges or surgical towels
- Needles or other sharp instruments
- Guidewires or catheters
- Stapler components or clamps
Although a final check should happen before a patient is closed up, that step sometimes gets missed, which is when objects like these get left behind.
Anesthesia and Medication Errors During Surgery
Surgical malpractice in Maryland can also involve anesthesia mistakes when a patient receives the wrong dose, drug, or monitoring during a procedure. Because timing and precision matter so much once a patient is under anesthesia, even small oversights can cause lasting harm. Common issues include incorrect dosing, missed monitoring of oxygen or heart rate, and overlooked drug interactions.
Postoperative Failures and Delayed Treatment
Not every surgical mistake happens in the operating room. Some occur afterward, when staff fail to notice warning signs such as infection or internal bleeding. A delay in catching these symptoms can turn a treatable complication into a life-threatening emergency, particularly once a patient has already gone home to recover.
Who Might Be Responsible for a Surgical Error?
Our Silver Spring surgical error lawyer has worked on cases where responsibility can fall on the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, nursing staff, or the hospital itself. Patients treated at facilities near Silver Spring, including Holy Cross Hospital and Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center, may pursue a surgical malpractice claim in Maryland if a preventable error caused their injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a surgical error claim in Maryland?
Maryland law generally requires a claim to be filed within three years of discovering the injury or five years of the injury itself, whichever comes first.
Where are surgical malpractice claims filed near Silver Spring?
Claims involving hospitals in the Silver Spring area typically go through the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. Some cases also pass through Maryland’s health claims arbitration process first.
What should I do if I suspect a surgical error?
Request copies of the medical records as soon as possible and speak with a Silver Spring surgical error lawyer promptly to help preserve evidence before it disappears.
Silver Spring Surgical Error Lawyer at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates Is Ready to Investigate Your Case
If you need legal advice about a potential surgical error injury, contact the Silver Spring surgical error lawyer at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates. Our compassionate legal team will investigate your case and fight to secure justice. Call us at 202-223-4488 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We have offices in Washington, D.C., and also serve clients in Northern Virginia and Maryland.
