Rockford Surgical Error Lawyer

Holding Negligent Surgeons and Hospitals Accountable

A Rockford surgical error lawyer holds medical professionals accountable for their failure to provide safe and effective surgical procedures. Botched surgeries can lead to enormous physical and emotional repercussions, making it even more important that you receive expert legal representation.

Our personal injury firm serves Rockford and Winnebago County, fighting hard for victims of medical malpractice. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe us anything upfront. Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal rights.

Verdicts and Settlements from Our Surgery Error Cases in Rockford

Our Winnebago County attorneys are experts in handling malpractice cases, relying on expert testimony and our years of experience to hold negligent surgeons and hospitals accountable. We meticulously investigate all cases, then fight hard with insurance to help you receive maximum compensation.

• $12,333,000: Wrongful death suit for missed post-surgical complications
• $12,000,000: Surgical error resulting in brain damage and amputation
• $1,899,000: Wrongful death case for retained surgical instruments

Common Types of Surgical Errors

Surgical failures are a type of medical malpractice that can occur either during a surgical procedure or during the recovery process. These cases lead to patients suffering injuries that may require several surgical revisions, which takes an enormous physical toll on them. Instances include:

• Never Events: These involve operating on the wrong body part or the wrong patient.
• Wrong Procedure: For example, the surgeon may cut the wrong duct.
• Retained Surgical Instruments: Tools or sponges in the body cavity can cause serious infections and pain.
• Nerve Damage: Severing nerves can lead to disability.
• Perforated Organs: Large organs like the liver could be damaged by surgery.
• Anesthesia Errors: Too much anesthesia can be deadly.
• Infections: Negligence during the recovery process may cause infections.

Causes of Surgery Errors in Rockford Hospitals

Surgery is a labor-intensive process, and much can go wrong. Common causes of errors include:

• Surgeon negligence or incompetence
• Poor communication among the surgical team
• Inadequate pre-operative planning
• Rushed procedures
• Equipment malfunctions
• Defective or poorly maintained instruments
• Understaffing and inadequate training

How We Establish Negligence in a Rockford Surgical Error Case

There are four elements to proving malpractice for a surgical injury, which include:

• Standard of Care: Surgeons must adhere to the American College of Surgeons standards of care, which differ based on the specific patient needs and case type.
• Breach of Duty: The surgeon failed to perform as an appropriately licensed and trained surgeon would in that circumstance.
• Causation: This breach of duty led to the patient suffering injuries.
• Damages: The injured person suffered financial and physical losses.

Surgeons, hospitals, nurses and other staff, medical device manufacturers, and independent contractors like travel nurses can be liable parties. We will thoroughly investigate your case to identify all potentially responsible parties and determine what role they played in the malpractice.

Steps to Take After a Suspected Surgery Error in Rockford

It is crucial to act quickly if you believe you’ve been the victim of an operation error. Take these steps as soon as possible.

• Get Medical Attention: Work with other medical professionals for treatment.
• Obtain Your Medical Records: Get paper or digital copies; do not assume they will be available in MyChart or another electronic records program.
• Document Everything: Keep records of your treatment and communication with the hospital.
• Get a Second Opinion: Speak to another surgeon about your treatment.
• Do Not Discuss the Case: The hospital may push you to accept a low settlement. Never speak to hospital representatives or insurance companies without your lawyer present.
• Contact a Malpractice Lawyer Immediately: Call us for a free case review.

How to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit for a Surgical Error in Illinois

To file a Winnebago County surgical mistake lawsuit, we must receive expert testimony from another physician, which allows us to file an affidavit of merit (§735 ILCS 5/2-622). Failure to do so can lead to a long and stressful appeals process, as is the case in Sullivan v. Edward Hospital.

Next, we will investigate the case and gather evidence, such as medical records, witness testimony, hospital communications, and expert opinions. We’ll then bring this to court and file a lawsuit, sharing information with the other parties through discovery.

Many cases end through negotiations with the relevant insurance company, which involves sending a demand letter and working through counteroffers. However, if this fails, we will take the case to court and help you share your story with a judge and jury.

Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Surgical Error

You may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, which can include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Future treatment
• Loss of future income
• Burial in the case of wrongful death
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement or disability
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Inconvenience
• Grief

Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Victims in Illinois

In general, you have two years to file a malpractice claim in Illinois (§735 ILCS 5/13-212). However, in some circumstances, you may have longer, such as if the error was not immediately apparent. Contact us as soon as possible so that we can get started on your case and ensure we do not miss the deadline.

Why You Need an Experienced Rockford Surgical Error Lawyer

Experienced legal representation can make a significant difference in how much compensation you receive. Because we thoroughly investigate all cases, we can effectively demonstrate why you deserve maximum compensation for your injuries.

Our team also has resources that may be difficult to find for the average person, and we can effectively question potential witnesses to get the right answers to our questions. We’re skilled in negotiating with insurance companies and are familiar with what common settlements look like in cases like yours.

The legal process can be complicated, which is why having an experienced attorney on your side is so helpful. We will draft complaints and draft letters, communicate with third parties, and ensure that your case has the best possible chance of success. Having helped over 5,000 clients get justice, we’re confident in our ability to help you earn a comprehensive settlement.

Book a Free Consultation with a Rockford Surgical Error Attorney Near You!

If you’ve been injured during a surgical procedure, you deserve justice. We work on a contingency fee basis, making top-notch legal representation affordable for all victims. To schedule a free case review, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.

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Great lawyer and is very professional and is here and or there for his clients. He is very understanding and very intuitive about his cases. Rate him a 5 out of 5

– John Stud

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All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.