Post Operative Care

Missing the Warning Signs

Surgery can be an important treatment alternative. However, proper post-operative care is just as critical. After an operation, patients must be closely monitored for signs of surgical complications such as infection, bleeding, or organ injury. When doctors or nurses miss these warning signs, or misdiagnose serious post-operative complications, the consequences can be life-altering. A patient who should be recovering may instead face worsening illness, permanent injury, or even death.

Common Mistakes

Misdiagnosis in the post-operative setting is a common basis for medical malpractice claims. Patients who express pain, fever, or unusual symptoms after surgery may be reassured or dismissed. Lab results and imaging may not be properly reviewed, or early signs of infection or internal injury may be misinterpreted. In many cases, a delay of just a few hours can mean the difference between full recovery and catastrophic outcome.

Medical negligence in the post-operative setting can result from inadequate monitoring or post-op follow-up; ignoring or misinterpreting abnormal vital signs; failing to investigate complaints of pain, fever, or confusion; misreading blood tests or imaging results; and delay in obtaining a surgical or other referral. When healthcare providers fail to act on early warning signs, preventable complications can quickly escalate.

Here to Help

Our firm has extensive experience in cases involving delayed diagnosis, surgical negligence, and post-operative care failures. We work with leading surgical, internist, and nursing experts to evaluate whether appropriate care was provided and whether earlier action could have changed the outcome. When an error is made, our goal is to assist you in holding the responsible parties accountable and securing the compensation you are entitled to.