Pittsburgh Wrong-Site Surgery Lawyers

At Matzus Law, LLC, we understand that surgery is a major medical event requiring complete trust in the surgical team. When that trust is broken due to wrong site surgery, the consequences can be catastrophic.

Wrong Site Surgery is a “Never Event”
Wrong site surgery is classified as a “never event”, meaning it should never happen if proper safety protocols are followed. These errors occur when a surgeon operates on the wrong body part, performs the wrong procedure, or mistakenly operates on the wrong patient.

Despite strict safety measures like The Universal Protocol, wrong site surgeries continue to happen due to negligence, miscommunication, and procedural failures. When hospitals and medical professionals fail in their duty of care, patients suffer severe physical, emotional, and financial harm.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of wrong site surgery, you have the legal right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering. Our experienced Pittsburgh wrong-site surgery lawyers are committed to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable and securing justice for victims.

What is Wrong Site Surgery?

Wrong site surgery occurs when a surgeon performs an operation on the incorrect body part, the wrong patient, or performs the wrong procedure entirely. These errors are entirely preventable and often result from critical failures in patient verification and communication among surgical teams.

Types of Wrong Site Surgery

Wrong site surgeries fall into three main categories:

1. Wrong Body Part Surgery: A surgeon performs the procedure on the incorrect side or part of the body, such as removing the left kidney instead of the right.
2. Wrong Patient Surgery: A patient undergoes a surgery that was intended for another individual, often due to misidentification or administrative errors.
3. Wrong Procedure Surgery: The surgeon performs an entirely different surgery than what was intended, such as operating on the spine when the procedure was supposed to be on the knee.

Consequences of Wrong Site Surgery

The impact of wrong site surgery can be devastating. Many victims require additional surgeries, extended hospital stays, and long-term rehabilitation. Others suffer from permanent disability, chronic pain, or emotional distress. The psychological impact can also be severe, with victims experiencing anxiety, depression, and loss of trust in the medical system.

Hospitals and medical providers must adhere to strict safety protocols to prevent these tragic mistakes. When they fail to do so, they must be held accountable.

 

Common Causes of Wrong Site Surgery

Wrong site surgeries are almost always preventable and typically result from failures in patient safety protocols. These errors stem from preoperative verification failures, operating room negligence, and hospital procedural breakdowns.

Preoperative Verification Failures

Hospitals and surgical teams must follow strict patient verification procedures before surgery begins. When these steps are ignored or rushed, misidentification and procedural errors occur.

Some of the most common preoperative verification mistakes include:

• Failure to confirm patient identity and surgical site.
• Errors in medical records, imaging scans, or patient charts.
• Miscommunication among surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists.
• Skipping or rushing through the mandatory surgical “time-out” procedure before making an incision.

Operating Room Negligence
Even after preoperative verification, operating room teams must remain vigilant to prevent surgical errors. Negligence in the operating room can lead to irreversible mistakes, including wrong site surgery.

Common causes of surgical negligence include:

• Failing to double-check medical records and surgical markings before making an incision.
• Skipping or rushing through the final verification process.
• Fatigue, distractions, or overconfidence among surgeons and staff.
• Lack of communication or teamwork among the surgical team.

Hospital Procedural Failures

Hospitals and surgical centers are responsible for implementing and enforcing patient safety measures. When hospitals fail to create a culture of accountability, wrong site surgeries occur due to system-wide negligence.

Common hospital procedural failures include:

• Lack of training and enforcement of patient verification procedures.
• Failure to use standardized checklists and protocols.
• Rushed or overcrowded surgical schedules, leading to staff burnout and increased errors.
• Lack of oversight and accountability from hospital administrators.

When hospitals fail to ensure proper patient safety measures are in place, they can be held legally responsible for the harm caused by wrong site surgery.

 

Injuries and Complications Caused by Wrong Site Surgery

The consequences of wrong site surgery can be devastating, leading to permanent injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship. Many victims require corrective procedures, extended hospital stays, and rehabilitation to recover from the damage caused by the initial mistake.

Permanent Disability and Loss of Function
If a surgeon removes a healthy organ, amputates the wrong limb, or damages critical nerves or tissues, the damage may be permanent.

Patients may experience:

• Loss of mobility and independence.
• Chronic pain and lifelong complications.
• Neurological damage leading to paralysis or sensory loss.

Severe Emotional and Psychological Trauma
The psychological toll of wrong site surgery is significant. Many patients suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety following their experience.

• Fear of future medical procedures.
• Loss of trust in doctors and hospitals.
• Emotional distress from unnecessary pain and suffering.

Financial Hardship and Increased Medical Costs
Victims of wrong site surgery often face overwhelming medical expenses. They may require:

• Multiple corrective surgeries.
• Long-term rehabilitation and physical therapy.
• Ongoing pain management and medical care.

These unexpected expenses create severe financial hardship for victims and their families.

 

Who is Liable for a Wrong Site Surgery?

Several parties may be held liable for wrong site surgery, including the surgeon, hospital, and other medical staff.

Surgeon Liability
Surgeons are responsible for ensuring they are operating on the correct patient and body part. If a surgeon fails to verify critical information before making an incision, they may be held directly liable for medical malpractice.

Hospital Liability
Hospitals must enforce strict patient safety protocols to prevent wrong site surgeries. If a hospital fails to provide proper staff training, oversight, or verification procedures, they may be held accountable.

Medical Staff Liability
Surgical nurses, anesthesiologists, and technicians are responsible for double-checking patient information and ensuring that all verification steps are completed. If they fail to follow proper safety protocols, they may share liability.

 

How Matzus Law, LLC Can Help

At Matzus Law, LLC, we have decades of experience handling medical malpractice cases and are dedicated to fighting for victims of wrong site surgery.

Our Pittsburgh wrong-site surgery lawyers work with top medical experts to analyze surgical records, identify errors, and build a strong case. Our firm aggressively advocates for maximum compensation, ensuring that our clients receive justice and financial recovery for their suffering.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wrong Site Surgery Lawsuits

What is considered wrong site surgery?
Wrong site surgery occurs when a surgeon performs an operation on the incorrect body part, the wrong patient, or carries out the wrong procedure. These mistakes are entirely preventable and result from failures in patient verification, surgical checklists, and communication among medical professionals.

How does wrong site surgery happen?
Wrong site surgery typically happens due to errors in preoperative verification, miscommunication between surgical staff, and hospital procedural failures. When medical professionals fail to follow proper protocols, such as verifying the patient’s identity, confirming the surgical site, or conducting a mandatory “time-out” before making an incision, serious mistakes can occur.

Who is responsible for a wrong site surgery?
Liability for wrong site surgery may fall on multiple parties, including the surgeon, hospital, nurses, anesthesiologists, and other medical personnel involved in the procedure. Surgeons are directly responsible for ensuring the correct procedure is performed, while hospitals have a duty to enforce strict patient safety protocols. If a failure in verification procedures leads to an error, all responsible parties may be held accountable in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

What injuries can result from wrong site surgery?
Victims of wrong site surgery can suffer from permanent disabilities, loss of function, unnecessary amputations, organ damage, nerve injuries, and chronic pain. In many cases, patients require corrective surgeries, extensive rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care. The psychological impact can also be severe, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

Can I sue for wrong site surgery?
Yes, if you have been a victim of wrong site surgery, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Wrong site surgery is considered a “never event,” meaning it should never happen when proper safety measures are in place. If a healthcare provider’s negligence led to the error, you have the right to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

 

Contact Matzus Law, LLC Today

If you or a loved one has been affected by wrong site surgery, you have the right to seek compensation for your suffering.

We serve clients throughout Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. Don’t wait—contact us today to protect your rights.