Gallbladder Surgery Error

A gallbladder surgery or laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed to remove the gallbladder. This laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery is generally performed when a patient is experiencing symptomatic gallstones. The procedure is considered a safe and effective operation for the treatment of gallstones.

In New York, the law requires that the surgeon perform the procedure in accordance with good and accepted surgical practice and technique. A surgical error or mistake (medical malpractice) by the surgeon performing the operation that results in a cut or injury to the common bile duct or other nearby vital organs can cause a serious injury that can lead to stricture of the common bile duct, bleeding, liver failure, and even death.

When a gallbladder surgery error was caused as a result of a surgical error or departure from accepted surgical technique, the surgeon may be found civilly liable for the damages caused to the patient.

A gallbladder surgery error may be caused by the following:

• Mistaken identification of the cystic duct for the common bile duct
• Misidentification of the correct anatomical structures
• Failure to use a pre-operative or intra-operative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Failure to convert the procedure to an open cholecystectomy

When a patient is injured during surgery due to a mistake or error, the consequences can be life-altering. 

Doctors and surgeons will rarely admit their mistakes. Along with their insurance companies, they will fight hard to defeat and deny the claims of people injured due to medical malpractice.

The victims of a surgical or medical mistake need an experienced New York City medical malpractice lawyer on their side to protect their rights and assert their claims.