Every year over 600,000 gallbladder surgical procedures are performed in the United States. Unfortunately, some are performed negligently. Victims who have suffered injuries resulting from a negligently performed gallbladder surgery may be entitled to compensation.
Injuries That Can Happen During Gallbladder Surgery
Examples of injuries that can occur during gallbladder surgery include the following:
• Perforated or torn bowels, intestines, liver, and other organs
• Incision, slicing, breaking, cutting, or removal of the common bile duct, which can result in peritonitis
• Leakage that results in infection
• Internal thermal injuries and burns due to cauterization that happens when a wound is closed up
• Malignant tissue, dead flesh, and other infection-causing parts left behind
• Abscesses
• Jaundice from infection of the liver
Requirements to Bring a Medical Malpractice Case In Arizona
To bring a successful claim for medical malpractice the following elements must be established:
• The doctor owed a “duty of care” to the patient, meaning they had a doctor-patient relationship
• The doctor breached his or her duty by failing to provide reasonably competent medical care
• The patient suffered some type of injury or harm as a direct result of the doctor’s breach of duty
It is important to note however, that not all complications that arise during surgery are malpractice. Some are known complications and if addressed properly, do not warrant a lawsuit.
Do You Have A Case?
If you or a family member suffered an injury during a gallbladder surgery, an Arizona medical malpractice attorney may be able to help you get compensation.