There are several reasons that someone can unexpectedly die during a surgical procedure. The reason could be a complication that was due to no fault of any medical professionals, or it could be due to the medical negligence. If you have lost a loved one while they were in a surgery at a Toledo, Ohio hospital, it is important to look into the cause of the death to ensure that it is not medical malpractice.
Common Forms of Malpractice
While there are always risks going into a surgery, there are also certain circumstances that are preventable when the medical professionals take proper precaution and have the appropriate training. If the death of a patient is caused by medical negligence, the family of the deceased would be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Of the cases in which patients have died during a surgical procedure, there is a certain number of common reasons. Among those are the following:
- Anesthesia errors
- Error by the surgeon
- Cardiac arrest
- Medical professional’s failure to monitor patient’s vitals
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Lack of oxygen for patient
- Pulmonary embolism
Steps to Take Following a Death
If a patient should die during a surgical procedure, the patient’s family members should ensure that the cause was not medical negligence. If they would, in fact, find that the cause of the patient’s death was medical negligence; they would likely pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit. The filing of the claim would have to occur within one year of the incident, as the Ohio Revised Code 2305.113 states. This makes it imperative for the family to seek legal guidance soon after the death of their loved one to ensure that they follow the proper steps.
If your loved one has lost their life while undergoing a surgical procedure and you believe that medical negligence could have played a factor in their death, call our Ohio medical malpractice attorneys. Our legal team can answer any questions that you may have over the phone, as well as give you a free case evaluation.
