Most Oregonians will agree that the need for surgery can create a stressful situation. There may be concerns over costs, health insurance, long-term consequences, and success rates. Unfortunately, though, far too many patients fall victim to the procedure itself when a medical professional makes a mistake. These mistakes can cause serious injuries and can leave a victim with life-long disfigurement.
One man is now dealing with this situation after an operation meant to remove a tumor from his abdomen went awry. According to a recently filed lawsuit, the man signed a consent form that allowed a doctor to put a stent in one of his ureter, but a different doctor who did not have consent conducted the operation. The surgery was botched, and left the man’s urethra destroyed. He now claims that he has long-term damage to his penis, including disfigurement and pain.
Hospital negligence like this should not be tolerated. Patients should be told the extent to which their surgical procedure will go and who will perform the operation. When medical professionals go beyond their consent, then they have likely breached the minimum standard of care owed to the patient. These victims then often have to cope with the devastating physical, emotional and financial losses that accompany medical malpractice.
Those doctors and nurses who harm a patient should be punished. In many instances, the best way to do this is to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. If a case is settled prior to trial or a jury returns a verdict in the plaintiff’s favor at trial, then compensation may be received for damages, including medical expenses and lost wages. While this is certainly important, it is also critical to note that such lawsuits damage negligent medical professionals’ reputations and hit them where it hurts: their wallets. After suffering such damage, hopefully these negligent professionals will take the steps necessary to prevent harm from befalling future patients.
Source: KIRO TV, “Lawsuit: Part of man’s penis “obliterated” in botched surgery,” Monique Ming Laven, July 21, 2014