Wrong-site surgery is a preventable mistake that is devastating to the patient. Although some states require mandatory reporting of these events, many states do not require it and the overall incidence of this event is unknown. 

 

Examples of wrong-site surgery include:

 

• Surgery performed on the right patient but on the wrong side of the patient

 

• Surgery performed on the right patient but at the wrong site

 

• Surgery performed at the wrong level of the spine

 

• Surgery performed on the wrong patient

 

 

Some hospitals have taken more aggressive steps to prevent wrong-site surgery events, but wrong-site surgeries continue to occur in our hospitals due to medical negligence.  

 

If you or a family member have suffered a catastrophic injury or loss due to a wrong-site or wrong-patient surgery, contact Bill Maddix, your Minnesota medical malpractice attorney, for a free consultation.