Organ perforation or damage is a serious medical complication that can occur during surgery or certain medical procedures. In Michigan, if this happens as a result of a healthcare provider’s negligence, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. If you or a loved one has suffered from this kind of injury, understanding your legal options and how to protect your rights is crucial.

Understanding Organ Perforation and Internal Damage During Medical Procedures

Organ perforation refers to a hole or tear in the wall of an internal organ, such as the intestines, stomach, bladder, uterus, or blood vessels. This injury most often occurs during invasive procedures like laparoscopic surgery, colonoscopy, endoscopy, or during the placement of medical devices such as feeding tubes or catheters. Sometimes, it can also occur due to improper diagnosis or treatment of underlying medical conditions.

When an organ is perforated, its contents can leak into the abdominal cavity or surrounding tissues, leading to severe infections like peritonitis or sepsis. Common symptoms include sudden, severe abdominal pain, fever, rapid heart rate, and signs of shock. If not detected and treated immediately, organ perforation can result in life-threatening complications, extended hospital stays, additional surgeries, or even wrongful death.

In Michigan, patients trust their physicians, surgeons, and hospital staff to exercise reasonable care and follow accepted protocols to minimize risks. Unfortunately, errors still happen. For instance, a surgeon may inadvertently puncture the bowel during a hysterectomy, or a feeding tube may be placed incorrectly in the colon rather than the stomach. These mistakes can have devastating, long-term consequences for patients and their families.

How Medical Malpractice Leads to Organ Perforation and Damage

Not every organ perforation is due to negligence, but many cases stem from preventable medical errors. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient. Examples of medical malpractice involving organ perforation or damage include:

• Failing to recognize or promptly treat a bowel perforation after surgery
• Using improper surgical techniques or failing to protect nearby organs
• Inadequate monitoring during or after procedures, leading to missed signs of internal injury
• Failing to order necessary diagnostic tests, such as a CT scan with contrast, to identify perforation
• Completing procedures like endoscopy or colonoscopy without sufficient care, resulting in tears to the intestinal wall

For example, patients in Michigan hospitals have filed lawsuits after suffering from bowel perforations that went undiagnosed, leading to sepsis and multi-organ failure. In other cases, surgical sponges left inside patients have caused infection and organ damage, requiring additional operations and causing lasting harm.

If a healthcare provider fails to act as a reasonably competent provider would have in similar circumstances, and this results in organ damage, they may be held liable for medical malpractice. Understanding these scenarios is vital for patients who suspect their injuries were preventable.

Recognizing the Signs of Medical Negligence and Your Rights as a Patient

It’s not always easy to determine whether an organ perforation was the result of medical malpractice. However, some warning signs may point to negligence. If your surgical team failed to identify postoperative symptoms such as severe pain, fever, or abnormal lab results, or if there were delays in ordering imaging studies or surgical consults, these could indicate substandard care.

Missed diagnoses and delayed treatment are common sources of malpractice claims. For instance, a patient who undergoes a hysterectomy and develops unrelenting abdominal pain should receive timely imaging and surgical evaluation to rule out bowel or bladder injury. If these steps are not taken and the patient’s condition worsens, resulting in additional surgeries, infections, or permanent disability, the care provided may fall below the standard expected.

As a patient in Michigan, you have the right to expect competent care. If you believe you or a loved one was harmed due to the negligence of a doctor, nurse, or hospital, you can pursue legal action. Retaining a top-rated medical malpractice lawyer can help you investigate your case, gather critical evidence, and hold the responsible parties accountable.

What Compensation Is Available in Michigan Medical Malpractice Cases?

Victims of organ perforation or damage due to medical malpractice may face prolonged recovery, additional medical costs, permanent disability, or reduced quality of life. Under Michigan law, those injured have the right to seek compensation for a variety of damages, including:

• Past and future medical expenses related to additional surgeries, hospitalizations, medications, or rehabilitation
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity if the injury impacts your ability to work
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring, disfigurement, or permanent disability
• Loss of consortium for spouses or family members

The amount of compensation depends on the severity of the injury, the degree to which it impacts your daily life, and the specific circumstances of the malpractice. Since these cases are complex, working with a Michigan medical malpractice lawyer ensures you get accurate advice about the damages you may recover and how to effectively build your claim.

Why You Need a Michigan Medical Malpractice Lawyer with Experience in Organ Damage Cases

Medical malpractice claims involving organ perforation are often fiercely contested by hospitals and insurance companies. Proving negligence requires a thorough review of medical records, securing testimony from qualified medical professionals, and demonstrating a clear link between the provider’s actions and your injuries. The right attorney will guide you through every step, from filing the initial complaint to negotiating a fair settlement or taking your case to trial if necessary.

At Sommers Schwartz, our legal team has handled numerous cases involving surgical errors, delayed diagnosis, and improper treatment that led to organ damage or death. Our Michigan medical malpractice attorneys have secured compensation for clients across Troy, Southfield, Westland, Sterling Heights, Farmington Hills, and Dearborn. We are dedicated to giving your case the attention it deserves so you can focus on your recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Organ Perforation Malpractice

How do I know if my organ damage was due to medical malpractice?

If you suffered organ perforation or damage during a medical procedure and believe it resulted from a delay in diagnosis, improper technique, or failure to follow standard care protocols, it may be malpractice. Consulting a medical malpractice attorney with experience in these cases is essential to evaluate your specific situation.

What is the deadline for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in Michigan?

Michigan law generally allows you two years from the date of the negligent act or omission to file a medical malpractice claim. If the injury was not discovered until later, you may have up to six months from the date you learned of the malpractice, but no more than six years from the original incident, to bring a claim.

What evidence is needed to prove organ perforation was caused by negligence?

You’ll need to show that the healthcare provider’s actions fell below the standard of care and that this directly caused your injury. This may require medical records, diagnostic imaging, surgical reports, expert testimony, and documentation of your injuries and damages.

Can I sue if a family member died because of organ perforation in a Michigan hospital?

Yes. If a loved one died due to undiagnosed or improperly treated organ perforation, you may have a wrongful death claim. Compensation can include medical and funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages. Speak with an attorney to understand your rights and the process involved.

Other Surgical Errors Resources

• Poor Postoperative Care Medical Malpractice in Michigan
• Post-Surgical Infections and Medical Malpractice in Michigan
• Anesthesia Errors Michigan Medical Malpractice
• Organ Perforation or Damage Medical Malpractice in Michigan
• Instruments Left in Body in Michigan Medical Malpractice Cases
• Wrong Patient Surgery Medical Malpractice in Michigan
• Wrong procedure Medical Malpractice in Michigan
• Wrong-site surgery Medical Malpractice in Michigan