Protecting Patients After Preventable Mistakes
Undergoing surgery is a major decision. Whether it’s a planned procedure, an emergency intervention, or a treatment intended to improve long-term health, patients trust that the operating room will be a place of precision, safety, and professionalism. Most of the time, it is. But when a surgical error occurs, the consequences can be immediate and life-changing.
A preventable mistake during surgery can leave patients facing unexpected complications, extended recovery time, additional procedures, and significant emotional and financial strain. At Gordon Thomas Honeywell, we help injured patients and their loved ones understand what happened, why it happened, and what options they may have. With decades of experience representing individuals harmed by medical negligence in Tacoma and across Washington, our medical malpractice attorneys provide steady, informed guidance when the stakes are highest.
A surgical error occurs when a surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurse, or other healthcare professional deviates from the accepted standard of care during a procedure or in the post-operative period, and that deviation leads to injury or harm. These mistakes are preventable, distinguishable from known surgical risks, and often traceable to a breakdown in communication, oversight, or adherence to protocol, meaning the medical provider was negligent.
Surgical error cases may involve:
- Surgeons and surgical teams
- Anesthesiologists
- Operating room nurses and technicians
- Hospitals, surgical centers, and emergency departments
- Healthcare professionals involved in pre- or post-operative care
Examples of deviations from the standard of care include operating on the wrong site, incorrect instrument counts, dosing errors, or a failure to recognize complications in a timely manner. Not every complication is malpractice, but when a patient is harmed because proper procedures weren’t followed, a medical malpractice claim may be warranted.
The effects of a surgical mistake extend far beyond the operating room. For many patients, the impact is multi-layered and long-lasting.
Physical Harm
Surgical errors can result in:
- Nerve injury
- Organ damage
- Foreign objects left inside the body
- Severe infection
- Disfigurement
- The need for corrective or revision surgeries
These conditions often require extensive treatment and can permanently alter mobility, independence, or overall health.
Emotional and Psychological Toll
Unexpected complications and prolonged recovery can lead to:
- Anxiety or fear about future medical care
- Loss of confidence in healthcare professionals
- Depression tied to physical limitations or chronic pain
- Reduced quality of life
Patients may also struggle to process the experience of being harmed in a setting meant to protect them.
Financial Strain
A surgical error can generate immediate and ongoing expenses, including:
- Medical bills for additional future treatment
- Rehabilitation or therapy
- Time away from work
- Long-term reduction in earning capacity
- Supportive care needs
Families often absorb these burdens as well, adjusting routines and caregiving responsibilities to help an injured loved one.
Surgical mistakes can occur in a variety of ways, each with serious consequences. Our firm represents clients in a wide range of surgical error cases, including:
Wrong-Site or Wrong-Procedure Surgery
These “never events” occur when a surgeon operates on the incorrect body part, performs the wrong procedure, or causes injury by failing to adhere to the standard of care. They are among the most serious and preventable forms of medical negligence.
Foreign Objects Left in the Body
Sponges, tools, and other materials mistakenly left inside a patient can cause infection, internal injury, and significant pain. These cases typically require additional surgery to correct.
Nerve Damage and Unintended Injury
Improper technique, positioning errors, or careless, negligent instrument use may result in nerve damage that affects mobility, sensation, or long-term physical function.
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia requires continuous monitoring and precise dosing. Errors such as improper administration, failure to review medical history, or inadequate monitoring can result in brain injury, cardiac arrest, respiratory complications, or other catastrophic outcomes.
Post-Operative Negligence
Complications can arise after a procedure if healthcare professionals fail to monitor for infection, internal bleeding, or other warning signs. Delayed diagnosis or lack of follow-up care can turn a manageable issue into a serious medical emergency.
Emergency Surgery Errors
Even in fast-moving emergency rooms, healthcare providers must still meet the standard of care. When rushed procedures, miscommunication, or misdiagnosis lead to preventable harm, a malpractice claim may be appropriate.
Surgical Errors in Childbirth
Mistakes during cesarean sections or other delivery-related procedures can lead to birth injuries affecting both mother and child.
If you or a loved one suffered harm after a surgical procedure and something feels “off,” an experienced surgical error attorney can help determine whether the outcome was a complication or a preventable medical error.
When a surgical error causes serious harm, choosing the right legal representation matters. At Gordon Thomas Honeywell, our commitment is rooted in decades of service to individuals and families across the South Sound.
Decades of Experience in Medical Malpractice
Our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience evaluating complex surgical cases, working with medical experts, and navigating the technical details required to build strong claims. We understand the medical and legal standards involved and how to demonstrate when they were not met.
Detailed Case Review with Qualified Medical Experts
We collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, radiologists, and other specialists who can analyze medical records, explain deviations from the standard of care, and provide critical insight into how the error occurred.
Client-Centered Advocacy
Every client’s experience is different. We take time to understand your concerns, answer your questions, and provide guidance that reflects your situation and not a generic approach.
Clear, Accessible Communication
Legal and medical terminology can be overwhelming. We translate complex information into clear, understandable terms so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Contingency Fee Representation
Our firm handles surgical error cases on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay upfront legal fees. We are only paid if we recover compensation for you.
Washington law offers important protections to patients harmed by medical negligence, but it also imposes strict requirements and deadlines.
Burden of Proof
To succeed in a medical malpractice lawsuit, injured patients must generally show:
- A provider-patient relationship existed
- The provider failed to meet the standard of care
- That failure caused the injury
- The injury resulted in injury or harm
This often requires a detailed review of medical records and testimony from qualified medical experts.
Statute of Limitations
In Washington, most surgical error claims must be filed:
- Within three years of the negligent act, or
- Within one year of when the injury was discovered (or reasonably should have been discovered)
Because timing is critical, speaking with a surgical error lawyer early helps ensure important deadlines are not missed.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses and future treatment
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and long-term care needs
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
A surgical error claim involves several important steps. At GTH, we guide clients through each stage with clarity and professionalism.
- Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation: We review your experience, discuss your concerns, and evaluate available medical records to determine whether a claim may be appropriate.
- Investigation and Medical Review: Our legal team gathers documentation (medical records, operative reports, imaging, lab results, patient-provider correspondence) and works with medical experts to assess how and why the injury occurred.
- Filing the Claim: If a claim is supported by evidence, we file a medical malpractice lawsuit outlining the negligence and damages.
- Discovery and Evidence Gathering: Both sides exchange information through depositions, discovery requests which include written questions and requests for documents, expert disclosures, and additional record review.
- Negotiation and Mediation: Many cases resolve without a trial. We strongly negotiate with defense counsel and insurance companies to pursue a fair settlement that reflects compensation for your injuries and damages.
Trial: Our medical malpractice attorneys are skilled trial attorneys who are equipped to present a strong, effective case to the jury at trial.
Taking the right steps early can help protect both your health and your legal options.
Seek Appropriate Medical Care
Get follow-up care or a second opinion to address symptoms, complications, or concerns related to the procedure.
Preserve Medical Records and Communications
Keep copies of:
- Treatment records and discharge summaries
- Imaging and lab results
- Bills and receipts
- Emails or text messages from providers
- Notes from follow-up appointments
This information is often essential in evaluating a claim. Obtaining a full set of medical records, chart notes, and flow charts can be a complex process. Our team is experienced and skilled at obtaining a full, complete set of your medical records.
Avoid Speaking with Insurers Without Representation
Insurance companies may request statements or releases. Before responding, consider speaking with an attorney. Your words may affect your claim later.
Contact a Surgical Error Attorney
An early conversation with an experienced attorney can help determine whether negligence may have played a role and ensure deadlines are met.
FAQs about Surgical Errors
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront legal fees.
No. Some complications occur even when medical professionals follow proper procedures. A claim focuses on preventable errors and deviations from the standard of care.
Timelines vary based on complexity, severity of the injury, and how quickly information can be gathered. Some cases resolve within a year or two; others take longer.
Yes. Failing to identify complications or diagnose a post-operative condition can contribute to harm.
Surviving family members may pursue wrongful death litigation. These cases require careful review and guidance.
What kind of medical negligence lawsuits usually get filed in court?
Medical malpractice cases may include a variety of treatments:
Contributory fault can limit recoverable damages for injured victims. Your GTH lawyer will secure the police report, gather evidence, and help you file a car accident claim with your insurance carrier. Your personal injury lawyer will also help determine which motorist is responsible for driver negligence.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by a surgical error in Tacoma or the surrounding region, you don’t have to navigate the situation alone. At Gordon Thomas Honeywell, our personal injury attorneys bring legal skill, compassion, and decades of experience to every case involving preventable medical harm.
Schedule a Free Consultation
We invite you to contact our legal team for a free, confidential consultation. During this conversation, we’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain how we can help.
Who can be liable for medical negligence damages?
Healthcare providers legally liable may include:
It’s not uncommon for medical negligence attorneys to discover a history of negligence involving a medical professional or healthcare facility. In fact, medical malpractice attorneys could be representing other injured patients or their families in cases of preventable negligence involving the same doctor or facility as yourself or loved one.
When you schedule your free consultation, our legal team will review our case and look for case histories involving healthcare providers.
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