Too many surgical procedures are complicated by post-surgical infections that could have been prevented if the operating doctor, supportive staff, or hospital had behaved more responsibly. If you have suffered harm or lost a loved one due to a preventable postsurgical infection, or one that was improperly treated, contact New Jersey law firm Nagel Rice LLP for a free consultation.
Our talented team of New Jersey attorneys has won over one billion dollars in settlements and verdicts. We have the legal knowledge and courtroom skills to fully investigate your case and to hold the responsible parties accountable in a court of law. We will fight aggressively to win you the compensation you deserve for all you have suffered and will not charge you any attorneys’ fees until we have recovered damages.
A postoperative infection most often occurs due to improper patient monitoring after surgery. Identifying the signs of infection early allows a physician to treat an infection in its early stages, preventing it from causing further injury.
Postsurgical Infection and New Jersey Medical Malpractice
Although not all postsurgical infections result from medical malpractice, many are due to a lack of proper sterilization before, during, or after the operation. Some infections at the surgical site are not recognized or treated early enough to prevent systemic infections which can be life-threatening.
In order to prove medical malpractice to the court’s satisfaction, we must prove that:
- There was a breach of duty on the part of the surgeon, hospital, or another healthcare provider
- That breach of duty was the direct or proximate cause of the surgical infection and your resulting injury
- The level of care you received was unreasonably negligent as compared to the care a normally skilled and qualified physician would have provided
Our postsurgical infection lawyers have the experience and well-honed skills to provide you with the best chance of obtaining a successful outcome.
How Medical Negligence Can Result in Postsurgical Infections
There are several ways infection can get gain a foothold in postsurgical patients:
- The operating room or surgical tools were not properly sterilized
- The surgeon, nurses, or other staff did not follow disinfection protocol
- The air in the operating room was contaminated, possibly by defective filtration
- The surgical site on the patient was not disinfected
- The patient was not instructed (if necessary) to take an antibiotic prior to surgery or to wash with an antiseptic soap before the surgical procedure
- The surgical site on the patient was not correctly cleaned (including the removal of hair) and disinfected before the incision
- The surgical wound was not cleaned, disinfected, or properly rebandaged after surgery
Important Facts About Postsurgical Infections
- Postsurgical infections can occur immediately after surgery or at any time within 30 days after the operation
- Postsurgical infections can result in delayed recovery from surgery, prolonged hospital stays, increased medical costs, poor results from the surgery itself, and in extreme cases, organ failure or death
- The sooner postsurgical infections are diagnosed and effectively treated, the less likely the patient is to suffer serious harm
- Depending on circumstances, the location of the surgical site, and the type of bacteria involved, the patient may suffer symptoms at the incision site, in a nearby organ, in the space between organs, in the urinary tract, in the lungs, in the intestinal tract, or in the blood (sepsis)
Signs of Postsurgical Infection
Doctors and other medical personnel are required to keep an eye out for signs of postsurgical infection in every patient who has undergone surgery. Those who fail to do so are considered remiss and negligent. Such signs include:
- Redness and/or heat at the surgical site
- Fever above 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F)
- Swelling or hardening of the incision
- Discharge of pus from the wound
- Increased persistent pain or irritation at the surgical site
- Frequent urination/ burning sensation during urination
- Extreme fatigue
It is important to note that not every patient who develops a postsurgical infection has a valid medical malpractice claim. If a postsurgical infection is quickly discovered, treated with appropriate antibiotics in a timely fashion, and results in no further problems, it is highly unlikely that the patient can make a successful claim of medical negligence.
The Serious Consequences of Postsurgical Infections
In addition to receiving oral antibiotics, patients who suffer serious postsurgical infections may also have to be treated with intravenous antibiotics, hydration, analgesics, and fever-reducting medications.
In some cases, further surgery is necessary to remove an abscess or hematoma or to remove and replace contaminated prostheses, plates, or screws. If patients become ill after being discharged from the hospital, they may have to be readmitted for such treatments and may even have to spend time in the intensive care unit (ICU).
In worst-case scenarios, patients who have suffered severe postsurgical infections may be left with long-term dysfunction or permanent disability. Some will suffer wrongful deaths. This is why it is crucial to have a sharp postsurgical infection attorney on your side.
How We Will Prove Your Postsurgical Infection Resulted from New Jersey Medical Malpractice
Proving medical malpractice is never easy, but our postsurgical infection attorneys are accomplished professionals who know precisely how to:
- Get hold of and carefully examine all medical records pertaining to your case
- Investigate whether the doctor or hospital in question has a history of similar claims of negligence
- Interview witnesses
- Identify all responsible parties (there is often more than one in such cases)
- Consult with medical and technical experts who may testify on your behalf
- Negotiate skillfully with opposing attorneys and insurance adjusters
Most of all, our highly capable lawyers will fight tooth and nail, both in and out of the courtroom, to win you maximum compensation.
Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Postsurgical Infection Attorneys Today
At Nagel Rice, we have spent decades successfully defending the rights of victims of medical malpractice. As soon as you become our client, your claim will become our cause. You can count on us to work diligently to recover the damages you need to cover your medical costs, loss of income, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. The medical entities you are accusing have enormous resources and substantial clout. Contact us now to make sure your fight for justice is a fair fight.
Nagel Rice LLP helps its clients with their postsurgical infection claims throughout New Jersey including Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Sussex County.