Bounds Law Group | Your Trusted Wrong-Site Surgery Attorney
When a patient undergoes surgery, they trust their healthcare provider with their life. But what happens when that trust is shattered by a catastrophic mistake—surgery performed on the wrong body part, the wrong side, or even the wrong patient? This horrifying event is known as wrong-site surgery, a preventable and devastating form of medical malpractice that leaves victims physically and emotionally scarred. At Bounds Law Group, we know the magnitude of such errors, and our dedicated wrong-site surgery attorneys are here to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
Call us now at 877-644-5122 or complete the free case evaluation form to begin the process before it’s too late.
What is Wrong-Site Surgery?
Wrong-site surgery refers to surgical procedures performed on the incorrect site, side, or patient. It is among the most egregious types of surgical errors and includes:
- Wrong-side surgery (e.g., operating on the left leg instead of the right)
- Wrong-site surgery (e.g., operating on the wrong vertebrae)
- Wrong-procedure surgery (performing a different procedure than what was intended)
- Wrong-patient surgery (operating on the wrong individual altogether)
Despite protocols such as the Universal Protocol from The Joint Commission, these incidents still occur, often due to miscommunication, failure to mark the surgical site, or inadequate verification processes.
Why You Need a Wrong-Site Surgery Attorney
If you or a loved one has been the victim of wrong-site surgery, you need an experienced wrong-site surgery attorney to hold the responsible parties accountable. These cases are complex and involve navigating medical records, expert testimony, and hospital procedures. At Bounds Law Group, we have extensive experience representing victims of surgical negligence, also known as medical malpractice, and know the legal intricacies necessary to build a compelling case.
Our attorneys:
- Conduct thorough investigations into the surgical incident
- Work with top medical experts to verify negligence
- Fight for maximum compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and loss of income
- Navigate the complex web of hospital legal teams and insurance companies
We don’t just take on cases—we take on causes.
Consequences of Wrong-Site Surgery
The aftermath of a wrong-site surgery is both physically and emotionally devastating. Patients often face:
- Additional surgeries to correct the error
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Chronic pain or nerve damage
- Psychological trauma including PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Extended recovery times and loss of livelihood
Many victims are left with lifelong complications that could have been avoided with proper surgical protocols. This is why legal accountability is not only necessary—it's vital.
How Wrong-Site Surgery Happens
Despite being deemed a “never event” (an incident that should never occur), wrong-site surgery happens more often than the public realizes. Common causes include:
- Lack of communication between surgical team members
- Failure to follow pre-operative verification protocols
- Inadequate patient records or wrong patient charts
- Unmarked or incorrectly marked surgical sites
- Overworked or fatigued surgical staff
Hospitals and surgical centers must implement strict procedures to prevent these tragedies. When they don’t, patients pay the price.
Establishing Medical Negligence in a Wrong-Site Surgery Case
To win a wrong-site surgery claim, your attorney must prove that the medical provider acted negligently. This requires demonstrating:
- A duty of care existed between the patient and the provider.
- That duty was breached by failing to follow standard surgical practices.
- The breach directly caused harm to the patient.
- The patient suffered damages as a result of the breach.
The skilled wrong-site surgery attorneys at Bounds Law Group specialize in gathering medical records, securing expert witnesses, and presenting a detailed, persuasive case in court.
Compensation Available in Wrong-Site Surgery Lawsuits
Victims of wrong-site surgery may be entitled to significant compensation. This includes:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of quality of life
- Punitive damages, in cases of gross negligence
At Bounds Law Group, we aggressively pursue full and fair compensation to ensure you are not burdened by the mistakes of others.
How to Prevent Wrong-Site Surgery: Best Practices and Systemic Solutions
Preventing wrong-site surgery requires a combination of institutional commitment, individual accountability, and consistent adherence to verified protocols. While legal recourse is essential for victims, it's equally important to highlight how these devastating errors can—and should—be avoided. Knowing preventative measures can empower patients, guide healthcare professionals, and underscore the importance of systemic reform.
Universal Protocol and Surgical Checklists
The Universal Protocol established by The Joint Commission is designed specifically to prevent wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-patient surgeries. It includes three primary components:
- Pre-Procedure Verification: Ensures all documents, images, and records align with the patient and intended surgery.
- Site Marking: Requires the surgical site to be marked clearly by the licensed practitioner performing the surgery.
- Time-Out: A final pause before incision where the surgical team confirms the correct patient, procedure, and site.
When followed diligently, this protocol dramatically reduces the risk of surgical errors. Unfortunately, breakdowns in communication or deviation from these steps are common contributors to wrong-site surgery incidents.
Technology-Assisted Verification
Modern hospitals have begun integrating electronic medical records (EMRs) and barcoding systems to reduce human error. For instance:
- Barcode scanning to match patients to their medical charts.
- Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to track surgical instruments and patients.
- Voice-assisted checklists to guide operating room staff step-by-step.
Technology can support surgical teams, but it must be paired with proper training and accountability to be truly effective.
Culture of Safety and Communication
Many wrong-site surgeries occur in environments where there is a lack of open communication, hierarchical pressure, or rushed decision-making. Establishing a "culture of safety"—where every team member feels empowered to speak up about inconsistencies—can stop errors before they reach the patient.
Training surgical teams in Crew Resource Management (CRM)—a concept borrowed from aviation—helps foster teamwork, enhance communication, and reduce preventable mistakes.
Patient Empowerment and Advocacy
Patients also play a critical role in prevention. They should:
- Confirm surgical site and procedure multiple times with different members of the medical team.
- Ask for their chart and consent form to be reviewed in their presence.
- Ensure the surgical site is marked in accordance with best practices.
An informed patient is often the last line of defense against catastrophic surgical errors.
At Bounds Law Group, our mission is not only to represent victims but also to advocate for safer medical practices industry-wide. Through justice and education, we help pave the way for a healthcare system where wrong-site surgery becomes a relic of the past.
Why Choose Bounds Law Group?
At Bounds Law Group, we have decades of experience representing victims of medical malpractice, including wrong-site surgery. We know the sensitivity of these cases and offer personalized legal services to each client. Our firm is committed to:
- Client-focused representation
- Relentless advocacy
- Expert legal strategy
- Maximum compensation
We are not afraid to go head-to-head with hospitals, insurers, and defense teams. Your justice is our mission.
Take Action Now – Your Time to File is Limited
In Florida and other states, medical malpractice claims are governed by strict statutes of limitation. If you've suffered due to wrong-site surgery, you must act quickly to preserve your rights. Every day you wait could affect your ability to secure the compensation you need.
Let our team of experienced wrong-site surgery attorneys guide you through every step of the process. Complete our free case evaluation form today and call us now at 877-644-5122 to discuss your legal options.
Real Client Support, Real Legal Results
At Bounds Law Group, we know that a surgical mistake isn’t just a medical error—it’s a life-altering event. We’ve recovered millions in verdicts and settlements for clients across Florida, and we are ready to fight for you.
Whether you’re unsure if you have a case or need immediate legal support, we’re here to help. We provide confidential consultations and compassionate legal counsel every step of the way.
Contact a Wrong-Site Surgery Attorney at Bounds Law Group Today
Don’t let medical negligence go unchallenged. You deserve justice, accountability, and peace of mind. Contact a knowledgeable wrong-site surgery attorney at Bounds Law Group today.
Complete our free case evaluation form or call us now at 877-644-5122. Let us be your voice in this fight.
Sources:
- The Joint Commission – Sentinel Event Alert on Wrong-Site Surgery
A leading authority providing national guidelines to reduce surgical errors.
https://www.jointcommission.org/ - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Federal agency offering research and best practices in preventing wrong-site surgeries.
https://www.ahrq.gov/ - National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) – Case Studies on Surgical Errors
Medical journal entries that detail case studies and root causes of surgical mistakes.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/