We hear about the heroics of modern medicine nearly every day. Unfortunately, we also hear about almost-incomprehensible instances of medical malpractice. These cases, such as when surgery is done on the wrong side of the patient's body, are often hard to imagine.

However, the truth is that wrong side surgery does occur. Indeed, hundreds of people experience the consequences of the negligence of highly-trained surgeons each year, suffering under the untreated or aggravated illness or injuries that put them in the operating room to begin with.

Though it may be hard to imagine, this dangerous type of New York medical malpractice can occur as a result of any number of actions on behalf of nurses or doctors. The possible causes of wrong side surgery include:

  • Nurses or doctors misunderstand/misdiagnose a patient's symptoms
  • Nurses misdescribe or mislabel the necessary procedures
  • Surgeons operate on the wrong part or side of the patient's body

The consequences of wrong side surgery are always serious. They include, but are not limited to:
  • Additional surgery to fix the original problem
  • Aggravation or mistreatment of existing condition
  • New serious illnesses or injuries

Severe injuries or even loss of life are a significant possibility in the case of wrong side surgery. When medical professionals are negligent or simply not paying attention, their patients or families are the ones that suffer the consequences.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a case of wrong side surgery, it is important that you protect yourself by contacting a Manhattan medical malpractice lawyer. The insurance companies may argue that you do not deserve to receive compensation for the hospital's negligence, and having an experienced attorney on your side will ensure that your story gets heard.

Call the Manhattan medical malpractice lawyers at Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine today for a free consultation about your case. (800) 734-9445.