When you go in for a surgery in Fulton County, Georgia, you are required to put your whole trust in the hands of your surgeon and medical team. Perhaps this is why surgery is such a scary prospect for some people.
A man who put his trust in two doctors was let down after they began surgery on the wrong knee on May 22, 2011. The man was scheduled for a total knee replacement on his right leg. Instead, the man’s left leg was prepped for surgery and the anesthesiologist administered a nerve block on it. It is not clear if the leg was cut into, but at some point the doctors realized their mistake and switched to the correct leg.
The man claims the anesthesiologist did not follow proper procedure and deliver the nerve block while the man was still awake. He also says the medical team did not take the proper steps to make sure that the correct leg was being operated on.
He filed a medical malpractice lawsuit recently against the anesthesiologist, orthopedic surgeon and hospital where the surgery was performed. He is seeking $825,000 in compensation for current and future medical expenses and pain and suffering.
During the time leading up to the procedure, it appears that members of the medical team dropped the ball. There really is no excuse for this type of medical mistake. If you have been the victim of a similar wrong-site surgery, you may wish to speak with a personal injury attorney about your case.
Source: The Oregonian, “Man claims doctors identified wrong knee for replacement, sues for $825,000,” Aimee Green, May 20, 20
