Richmond Delayed Surgery Attorney
Health problems that require surgery are typically very severe, and patients should never have to wait to have the issue corrected. Delayed surgeries place patients at serious risk of infections, and a medical issue could become more serious over time. If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a delayed surgery, you may be able to claim compensation that can help with medical bills and more. A Richmond delayed surgery attorney can help you recover the maximum damages you deserve.
The Risk of Delayed Surgery
Delaying certain surgical procedures may not seem like an issue, but it can lead to several other problems. For example, a doctor may determine that a woman needs a D&C but the surgery is not performed right away. During the delay, the woman may develop sepsis, which is an infection that has the potential to be deadly. Or, a person could be suffering from heart problems that require surgery to correct. If the surgery is delayed, the patient could have a heart attack and pass away.
Delays are typically preventable and when they happen, it may be a case of medical malpractice. It is important to determine the cause of the delay, so the appropriate party can be held liable.
Common Causes of Delayed Surgeries
Surgeries may be delayed for a number of reasons. The most common of these include:
- Surgical team arrives late: Everyone on a surgical team has a purpose in the operating room. When just one person is late, it can cause the surgery to be delayed for a considerable period of time.
- Patient arrives late: When patients are not on time for their surgical procedure, it increases the risk of a delay by 35 percent.
- Lack of recovery rooms: Recovery rooms allow patients to be monitored regularly as soon as they come out of surgery. They are important to prevent any problems with anesthesia or any other respect of the procedure. If there is no recovery room available, it could cause a delay until one is open.
- Staff too busy: It may seem inconceivable that a surgery could be delayed because hospital staff was too busy. However, it happens more often than one would think and it is typically because the hospital is understaffed.
Statute of Limitations in Richmond
If you have suffered injuries or other harm due to a delayed surgery, it is important to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. Under Virginia’s statute of limitations, you have only two years from the date on which the surgeon or healthcare worker committed the malpractice. In most cases, if you do not file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out, you will forfeit your right to compensation.
Call Our Virginia Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love has suffered harm due to a delayed surgery, do not hesitate to call our Richmond medical malpractice lawyers. At MichieHamlett, our skilled attorneys know how complex medical malpractice claims are, and how to overcome the challenges they present. We are dedicated to helping injured patients, and we want to help you, too. Call us today at (434) 951-7200 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
