Helping Victims Of Bariatric Surgery Medical Malpractice
As Americans continue to struggle with fitness and obesity, more people are opting to undergo bariatric surgery to help them lose weight and improve their health. Bariatric surgery, which includes gastric bypass surgery, gastric banding surgery and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, can help those struggling with serious health problems and social challenges that so often accompany obesity.
Unfortunately, bariatric surgery involves significant risks. The procedure can be both difficult and dangerous, and many surgeons lack the proper training and experience to perform it successfully. Mistakes during and after these procedures can result in serious injuries and even death. According to results reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 2 percent (one in every 50) gastric bypass surgery patients died within 30 days of their operation, and almost 5 percent (one in 20) died within a year of surgery.
Complications from bariatric surgery are numerous and wide-ranging. Common medical errors, such as anesthesia errors, or surgeon mistakes, including incisional hernia occurring at the surgical site, can occur during the surgery. More often, problems develop after surgery. For example, surgeons sometimes fail to ensure that the stomach and/or intestines are closed and reattached properly, causing fluids to leak into the patient’s abdomen, resulting in serious infection, abscess, peritonitis or death. Patients can also develop intestinal blockage following bariatric surgery. Intestinal blockages can lead to serious gastric complications, including aspiration (where stomach contents end up in the lungs), and can result in death if not prevented, recognized and/or treated immediately.
Often, a bariatric surgery patient will have to cope with the complications of malpractice for the rest of his or her life. Medical negligence laws allow victims of malpractice to seek compensation for their damages, including medical costs, pain and suffering, and treatment and health costs associated with the injury such as additional surgery, rehabilitation or long-term medical care.
If you or a loved one has had bariatric, gastric bypass, gastric banding or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and developed complications, you should contact us immediately. Our lawyers will help you find the answers you need by examining medical records and consulting medical experts. Our attorneys are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our clients. We bring decades of experience to the table when fighting for victims in medical malpractice cases, and we will handle your case with diligence, skill and care.
Contact Our Attorneys For More Information
If you believe that you have suffered from bariatric surgery medical malpractice in Massachusetts or Vermont, our attorneys may be able to help. Contact one of our offices to schedule an appointment with an attorney.
We have conveniently located offices and other meeting locations throughout Massachusetts and Vermont and regularly travel throughout the region to meet with clients. We offer a free initial consultation in all personal injury cases. You can reach us in Massachusetts at 413-663-3200 and in Vermont at 802-442-3233. You can also reach us via email.
All cases are handled on a contingent-fee basis — you don’t pay attorney fees unless we win compensation in your case.