Surgical Error Attorney in Honolulu
Legal Help After Surgical Errors in Honolulu and Throughout the Hawaiian Islands
When surgical complications are severe or your doctors cannot clearly explain what happened, it is natural to wonder if a preventable mistake occurred. If you believe a surgical error happened in or around Honolulu, you may be dealing with pain, worry, and unexpected bills.
Our team at Law Office of Jon S. Jacobs, LLLC has spent over 20 years suppoting clients after suffering harm due to negligence. We are skilled in negotiation and litigation and have a track record of success.
You do not need to sort out what happened or how Hawaii medical malpractice rules apply on your own. Our surgical error lawyer in Honolulu can listen to your story, review what is known about your surgery, and explain your options in clear language so you can decide what to do next.
Request a free consultation to learn more about how our surgical errors lawyer in Honolulu, HI, can support you. Dial (808) 468-6484 to begin.
What to Do After a Surgical Error
If you believe a surgical error may have occurred, it is normal to feel confused and overwhelmed. Medical complications can be difficult to understand, especially when you are still recovering. Taking the right steps early can help protect your health and preserve important information if you later decide to pursue a claim.
Steps to take after a possible surgical error include:
- Seek immediate medical care: Obtain emergency treatment if needed and follow up with appropriate medical care to address complications.
- Request your medical records: Ask for copies of test results, medication orders, billing statements, doctors’ notes, and any other relevant records.
- Document your symptoms and experience: Keep notes on new or worsening symptoms, changes in pain, missed work, medical appointments, and explanations provided by healthcare providers.
- Get a second medical opinion: Another qualified doctor can help determine whether your outcome was preventable or a known surgical risk.
- Limit public discussion: Avoid discussing the incident publicly or on social media, as statements can be taken out of context.
- Consult a surgical error lawyer: Speak with a Honolulu surgical error lawyer who can review your situation and explain your legal options.
If you are unsure whether your situation is malpractice or just a known risk, that uncertainty is normal. Speaking with a surgery lawyer Honolulu patients trust can help you sort through the medical details and decide whether to move forward. At Law Office of Jon S. Jacobs, LLLC, we offer free consultations, so you can ask questions and learn how Hawaii law may apply before you make any decisions.
Types of Surgical Errors
Not every surgical complication is caused by negligence. However, some surgical mistakes are serious, preventable, and raise immediate concerns about patient safety. When an injury results from a failure to follow proper procedures, communicate effectively, or adhere to established medical standards, it may constitute a surgical error.
Some common categories of surgical mistakes include:
- Wrong site operations on the incorrect body part or side
- Wrong procedures that do not match the patient’s consent
- Retained surgical items such as sponges or instruments
- Injuries to nearby organs, nerves, or blood vessels
- Anesthesia errors that cause preventable harm
A key part of our role as a Honolulu surgical error attorney patients can call is to help distinguish between a known risk and a preventable error. We look at what steps were taken to prepare for surgery, how the team communicated, and whether safety protocols were followed. If those basic safeguards failed, there may be grounds for a claim under Hawaii law.
Who May Be Liable for Surgical Mistakes
Many people assume that only the primary surgeon can be responsible when something goes wrong in an operating room. In reality, multiple individuals and institutions may share responsibility, depending on how the error occurred.
The following may be liable for surgical errors:
- The surgeon
- An anesthesiologist
- Nurses
- Hospitals
- Surgery centers
Sorting out who may be liable is not something patients or families are expected to do alone. At Law Office of Jon S. Jacobs, LLLC, our Honolulu surgical error lawyer works to identify individuals and organizations that may have contributed to the error so that a claim can reflect the full scope of what went wrong.
Compensation & Timelines In Hawaii
When surgical errors occur, the financial impact can be as overwhelming as the medical issues. You may face additional hospital stays, corrective operations, rehabilitation, and long-term medications. Time away from work can lead to lost income, and in some cases, a reduced ability to return to your prior job. These pressures often come on top of significant pain and emotional distress.
Our wrong medical procedure attorney in Honolulu patients speak with can explain the types of compensation that may be available in a particular case.
These can include:
- Current and future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- And more
The amount that may be recoverable depends on factors like the severity of the injury, the need for future care, and the strength of the evidence.
Surgical Error Statute of Limitations in Hawaii
Hawaii law sets strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitation, for filing medical malpractice claims related to surgical errors in Honolulu and throughout the state. In most cases, you have two years from the date you discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, the injury to take legal action, but no more than six years from the date the malpractice occurred.
If you wait too long, you may lose the right to bring a claim entirely, regardless of how serious the error was. As these deadlines can depend on when the mistake occurred and when it was discovered, speaking with a surgical error attorney in Honolulu as soon as possible can help protect your rights.
How Our Honolulu Firm Helps
When you contact our office about a possible surgical error, we start by learning exactly what you experienced before, during, and after your procedure. We look at the timeline of your care, the consent forms you signed, and any explanations you have received so far. Our goal is to understand your concerns and compare what happened to the standards that generally apply in Hawaii.
Choose us to benefit from:
- Free consultations
- Over 20 years of experience
- Tailored guidance
- Track record of success
- One-on-one communication
Our focus in every case is practical. We work to pursue compensation that reflects the real impact of the error, including additional surgeries, rehabilitation, lost income, and long-term changes to your health. Throughout the process, we strive to keep you informed so you are never left wondering what is happening with your claim.
Let our surgical errors lawyer in Honolulu, HI, fight for you. Schedule a free consultation with us to begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly do I need to act after a surgical error?
Hawaii has deadlines for filing medical malpractice claims, and waiting too long can prevent you from seeking compensation. As those rules depend on when the error occurred and when it was discovered, it is usually wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as you suspect a serious mistake.
What information should I bring to our first meeting?
It helps to bring any medical records you already have, discharge papers, bills, and a list of providers involved in your care. Notes about when symptoms started and how your life has changed are also useful. If you do not have records yet, we can discuss how to request them.
You want a lawyer who understands the specifics of your situation. With more than 19 years of legal experience, Attorney Jon S. Jacobs can be trusted to apply his knowledge and resources to your case and strive for optimal results.
