People who undergo an operation are literally putting their lives in the hands of a surgeon. It can be particularly difficult for parents to trust surgeons to perform operations on their child while they can only sit in the hospital waiting room. Although they are rare in New Mexico, doctor errors can cause long-term damage or even death.
When a 4-year-old boy was brought to the hospital for an operation that would correct his wandering right eye, the surgeon mistakenly operated on his left eye first. As a result, the boy underwent two operations instead of the one he had planned for, and his parents want the hospital and the doctor to publicly admit their mistake. The hospital refuses to do so and the surgeon has not made a public statement in relation to the matter. The hospital has offered an out-of-court settlement for as much as $50,000.
For that reason, the boy’s parents are intending to sue both the doctor and the hospital for medical malpractice, although the boy is recovering from the operation performed on his good eye. They say that receiving compensation for the error is not their primary concern. Instead, their purpose is to try to attain public responsibility on the part of the hospital and surgeon.
Because it is still pending, the hospital has not commented on this case. Patients who have been the victims of negligence or medical errors can hold a doctor or hospital accountable for inadequate care. Victims can seek compensation to help cover medical expenses and other costs. It may be helpful to talk to an attorney about a medical malpractice claim.
Source: KATU.com, “Malpractice sought after surgeon operates on wrong eye,” Patrick Preston, March 14, 2013
