While all surgeries entail some risk, negligence exponentially increases the danger of injury. Because errors can happen in preoperative procedures, during the procedure, or afterward, it is extremely important that medical professionals are diligent throughout every stage of the surgical process.
When you or someone close to you has been injured in surgery because of a medical professional’s negligent conduct, it is important to reach out to a skilled medical malpractice attorney. An experienced Philadelphia surgical error lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you are entitled and bolster accountability from the medical community moving forward.
Surgical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to follow the accepted standard of care during surgery, leading to preventable harm. The standard is not one of excellence or exceptional behavior, just reasonable competence in their speciality. When a surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurse, or hospital staff member deviates from that standard—whether through inattention, fatigue, or poor decision-making—it can have devastating effects on the patient. Malpractice is not simply an unsatisfactory result; it must be shown that negligence directly caused or contributed to injury or death.
Surgical errors may take many forms, ranging from minor but painful complications to catastrophic, life-altering injuries. Common causes include poor communication among surgical staff, lack of preparation, inadequate preoperative assessment, and failure to follow established safety protocols.
Some of the most frequent types of surgical errors include:
Each of these mistakes can result in permanent disabilities, chronic pain, emotional distress, or even loss of life. At Soloff & Zervanos, our Philadelphia attorneys work with medical experts to carefully review surgical records, hospital protocols, and witness testimony to determine exactly how and why a surgical error occurred.
Victims of surgical malpractice may pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages can include hospital bills, follow-up surgeries, lost wages, and the cost of rehabilitation or long-term care. Non-economic damages recognize the physical pain, emotional trauma, and diminished quality of life that often accompany these injuries.
In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded when a healthcare provider’s conduct is deemed grossly negligent or reckless—for example, performing surgery while impaired or ignoring critical patient safety warnings. While compensation cannot reverse the damage done, it can help survivors rebuild their lives by covering ongoing treatment and providing a sense of justice. Our lawyers in Philadelphia understand that healing after a surgical error involves more than medical recovery—it also requires emotional and financial stability.
It is essential for anyone injured in a surgical procedure to act quickly. In Pennsylvania, most medical malpractice lawsuits must be filed within two (2) years from the date the injury occurred or from the date the injury was discovered—or reasonably should have been discovered. This discovery rule allows some flexibility, especially in cases where the effects of malpractice were not immediately apparent, such as internal infections or retained foreign objects.
However, waiting too long can jeopardize a claim, as important evidence may be lost, and legal rights can expire once the statute of limitations has passed. There are also special provisions for minors, allowing them to file within two years after turning 18. Our attorneys at Soloff & Zervanos are well-versed in Pennsylvania’s medical malpractice statutes and will ensure all deadlines are met while thoroughly preparing your case.
If you suspect that you or a loved one suffered harm because of a surgical mistake, it is important to consult an attorney who understands both the medical and legal complexities involved. Our Philadelphia surgical error attorneys have decades of experience handling cases across the state and can guide you through every step—from collecting medical evidence to negotiating with insurance companies or pursuing litigation in court.
At Soloff & Zervanos, we believe that no patient should suffer in silence when a trusted medical professional causes harm. Our mission is to hold negligent parties accountable while helping you and your family secure the compensation necessary to move forward with confidence and dignity.
With more than a quarter century of experience in medical malpractice cases, our lawyers at Soloff & Zervanos Personal Injury Attorneys, are prepared to bring our comprehensive knowledge and approach that has yielded demonstrable success to work on cases involving:
Because of the complexity of these cases, it is extremely important to take deliberate and decisive action. From the moment we begin working with you, we will do everything to inform you of your rights, and undertake the rigorous discovery and investigation that is necessary to build the case to obtain maximum compensation.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our Philadelphia surgical error lawyers, please call our firm. Phones are answered 24 hours a day.