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What Is Orthopaedic Surgery Negligence?
Orthopaedic negligence can occur when treatment before, during, or after an operation falls below an appropriate standard and causes avoidable harm.
This could involve an incorrect procedure, surgical error, failure to identify complications or inadequate post-operative care. The fact that an operation has not achieved the expected result does not necessarily mean that negligence has occurred.
Your treatment and the resulting injury will need to be assessed to determine whether the standard of care was appropriate. In some cases, errors during an operation may also give rise to Wrong Site Surgery Claims, particularly where the wrong joint, limb or area of the body is operated on.
Common Orthopaedic Surgery Problems
Negligent orthopaedic treatment may result in continuing pain, restricted movement, nerve damage, infection, incorrect healing or the need for additional surgery.
Problems following procedures involving the hip, knee, shoulder, spine or other joints may have a significant effect on mobility and everyday life. Where an avoidable surgical error has caused further injury, the circumstances may also fall within wider Surgical Negligence Claims.
Where surgery has failed to achieve the intended outcome because of negligent treatment and further corrective procedures are required, Failed Surgery Claims may also be relevant.
Orthopaedic procedures involving the spine can sometimes result in serious complications. Where negligent treatment affects the spinal cord or nerves, this may lead to Spinal Injury Claims, depending on the circumstances and evidence available.
Can I Claim Compensation?
You may have grounds for a claim where negligent orthopaedic surgery caused an injury or made your existing condition worse.
Compensation may take into account the physical effects of the injury as well as financial losses, including further treatment, rehabilitation, loss of earnings and other reasonable expenses.
Where negligent treatment results in serious or long-term mobility problems, the future impact on your independence, care requirements and ability to work may also need to be considered.
In more serious cases, orthopaedic negligence may contribute to significant neurological problems. For example, where spinal surgery causes damage affecting the brain or nervous system, Brain Injury Claims may be relevant depending on the nature and extent of the injury.
How Is an Orthopaedic Negligence Claim Assessed?
A detailed review of your medical treatment will usually be required. Your medical records can help establish what treatment was planned, what happened during the procedure and how your condition developed afterwards.
Independent medical evidence may also be obtained to determine whether the treatment was appropriate and whether any negligence caused or contributed to your injury.
The investigation may also consider whether appropriate steps were taken before and after surgery, including the use of anaesthesia, monitoring and post-operative care. Where problems relate specifically to the administration or management of anaesthesia, Anaesthetic Negligence Claims may need to be considered.
How Can Step Legal Solicitors Help?
Step Legal Solicitors can investigate your orthopaedic treatment and advise you on whether you may have grounds for a medical negligence claim.
We can review your medical records, arrange appropriate medical evidence and consider the impact of your injury on your health, mobility, employment and finances.
Where your circumstances involve wider Personal Injury Claims, we can also consider the relationship between your treatment and the injury you have suffered.
If you are happy to instruct us, we will handle your claim on a No Win No Fee basis. This means no upfront costs and no financial risks.
Contact Step Legal Solicitors
If you believe negligent orthopaedic surgery has caused you further injury or complications, contact Step Legal Solicitors on 0800 195 6412 or use our online contact form to discuss your potential claim.
You are always free to come into any of our offices during our working hours to discuss your case on a no-strings-attached basis.
Even if you are deliberating over whether you’ve got a claim or not, it’s always worth speaking to a solicitor to assess your options.
