Bowel Damage From Surgical Errors

Damage to the bowel during surgery is one of the most serious errors a surgeon can make. Whether caused by inexperience or sheer negligence, these injuries often lead to infections, multiple corrective procedures, and extended hospital stays. Along with related errors like accidental punctures or bile duct injuries, bowel damage disrupts lives in profound ways. A Prince George’s County medical malpractice attorney can help you fight back.

At Foran & Foran, we understand how these injuries can impact your physical and financial well-being. We handle cases involving all types of surgical mistakes, from gastric bypass complications to gallbladder injuries. If you’ve suffered due to a preventable error, call us to discuss your case and your next steps.

Bowel damage during surgery is a grave medical error that can result in life-threatening complications. When the bowel is perforated or injured, bacteria from the intestinal tract can leak into the abdominal cavity, causing acute peritonitis and systemic infections. Compared to upper gastrointestinal injuries, lower bowel perforations are less common but significantly more severe. If you’ve suffered from bowel damage due to surgical negligence, a Prince George’s County bowel damage attorney can help you seek justice and recover damages.

According to studies, diagnostic errors frequently contribute to delayed treatment of bowel perforation, worsening patient outcomes. These errors occur in 5% of outpatient cases and are a leading cause of in-hospital adverse events, with some reports indicating they play a role in 7% to 17% of such incidents. Delayed or missed diagnoses can escalate the severity of the injury, leading to extended hospital stays, additional surgeries, and, in some cases, permanent health complications.

In many cases, bowel injuries other types of organ damage during surgery occur when surgeons fail to exercise proper care during procedures. Common causes include:

• Mishandling of surgical instruments. Errors such as applying too much force or using inappropriate tools can puncture or tear the bowel.
• Unnecessary Surgical Exploration. Entering areas of the abdomen unnecessarily increases the risk of bowel perforation.
• Failure to identify and repair injuries. When damage occurs during surgery, failure to immediately recognize and address it leads to preventable complications.

These preventable errors are often the result of inadequate training, lack of focus, or poor communication among surgical teams. Regardless of the cause, these injuries are unacceptable and demand accountability.

Timely recognition of bowel damage is critical to preventing life-threatening outcomes. Patients with bowel perforation may experience:

• Severe abdominal pain—a hallmark symptom of peritonitis caused by bowel leakage.
• Fever and chills—indicators of systemic infection.
• Abnormal heart rate or blood pressure—signs of septic shock, a medical emergency.
• Changes in digestive function—symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or the inability to pass stool.

When healthcare providers fail to identify these warning signs promptly, the patient’s condition often deteriorates rapidly, requiring emergency surgery or intensive care.

Bowel damage affects more than just your physical health. The financial burden of additional surgeries, hospital stays, and ongoing medical treatment can be overwhelming. Patients often face extended recovery periods, lost income, and the emotional toll of living with a long-term health condition.

For example, a bowel perforation that leads to diffuse peritonitis may require months of recovery and result in permanent complications such as digestive dysfunction or chronic pain. These damages are not just medical—they are personal, affecting every aspect of a patient’s life.

Patients harmed by surgical errors, including bowel damage, have the right to hold negligent providers accountable. A Prince George’s County bowel damage lawyer can investigate your case, gather evidence, and work to secure the compensation you need.

At Foran & Foran, P.A., we are experienced in handling complex medical malpractice cases involving severe surgical injuries. By filing a claim, you can seek financial recovery for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering while ensuring that medical professionals are held to higher standards of care.

Bowel damage during surgery is a serious and preventable error that can lead to infections, additional surgeries, and long-term health complications. At Foran & Foran, we leverage our extensive experience handling medical malpractice cases to help patients hold negligent providers accountable. Our attorneys will investigate your case, consult with medical experts, and work to secure the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain. To schedule a free consultation with one of our medical malpractice lawyers in Prince George's County, give us a call at (301) 441-2022. We proudly represent clients in Hyattsville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, La Plata, Silver Spring, Rockville, and the surrounding areas.