Nerve Damage From Surgical Errors

Nerve damage resulting from surgical errors is one of the most life-altering consequences of medical negligence. These injuries can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, sensory loss, or even permanent disability, significantly affecting your ability to work, enjoy daily activities, and maintain your quality of life. Surgical mistakes that damage nerves often occur during procedures involving the spine, arms, legs, or other delicate areas, where precision and care are essential. A small error, such as an improperly placed incision or mishandling of surgical tools, can cause irreversible harm. If you have experienced nerve damage due to a preventable mistake from an Orthopedic surgeon's or another healthcare provider's negligence, a Prince George's County nerve damage attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation.

Nerve damage caused by surgical negligence can disrupt every aspect of your life, leaving you with physical pain, emotional distress, and financial strain. The skilled medical malpractice attorneys at Foran & Foran, P.A. can thoroughly investigate your case by reviewing medical records, consulting with experts, and identifying those responsible for your injury. The goal is to ensure you recover compensation for medical costs, lost income, and the suffering you have endured. With experienced legal guidance, you can take the first steps toward accountability and justice. Contact us today to begin your path to recovery.

Nerve damage caused during surgery can result in life-altering consequences, from chronic pain to severe physical disabilities. This type of injury, referred to as surgically induced neuropathic pain (SNPP), occurs in 10–40% of patients undergoing routine procedures such as mastectomies, hernia repairs, and limb amputations. Despite being preventable in many cases, nerve damage continues to be a significant medical issue, often arising due to poor surgical techniques or inadequate planning.

Nerve injuries during surgery typically occur when proper care is not taken to protect sensitive structures. The following are the most common ways nerves are harmed during medical procedures:

• Direct transection. When a nerve is accidentally cut during surgery, it can permanently lose function, affecting sensation or movement in the affected area.
• Excessive stretching or compression. Improper positioning or excessive force applied during a procedure can stretch or pinch nerves, resulting in long-term pain or limited mobility.
• Postoperative inflammation. Swelling around the surgical site can compress nearby nerves, causing persistent discomfort and potential loss of function.

These injuries often stem from inadequate surgical planning, a lack of familiarity with the patient's anatomy, or poor instrument handling. Proper preparation and careful execution are essential to avoid these preventable errors.

Surgical nerve damage can disrupt nearly every aspect of a patient's life. Physical, emotional, and financial challenges often compound the impact of these injuries, leaving patients with few options but to seek extensive medical intervention.

Some of the most severe consequences include:

• Chronic pain. Persistent pain is one of the most debilitating outcomes of nerve damage. Studies show that SNPP affects up to 50% of patients in some surgical contexts, often requiring lifelong pain management.
• Reduced mobility. Damage to motor nerves can impair movement, making everyday activities difficult or impossible without assistance.
• Emotional and psychological distress. Anxiety, depression, and a loss of trust in medical providers frequently accompany preventable surgical injuries.

These long-term effects often necessitate costly and time-intensive treatments, such as physical therapy, pain management programs, and, in severe cases, additional corrective surgeries.

In many cases, nerve damage sustained during surgery could have been avoided if healthcare providers followed proper protocols and safety standards. Preventable factors often include:

• Inadequate preoperative planning. Before performing any procedure, surgeons must thoroughly evaluate a patient's condition and anticipate potential complications.
• Improper surgical technique. Lack of precision or attention to detail during surgery increases the likelihood of nerve injuries.
• Failure to monitor patient positioning. Ensuring that nerves are not compressed or stretched during the procedure is critical to preventing damage.

Patients who experience preventable nerve damage should not have to bear the burden of their medical provider's negligence. Legal action provides a path toward holding those responsible accountable while also securing resources for recovery.

Nerve damage caused by surgical mistakes can result in chronic pain, loss of sensation, or impaired mobility, significantly impacting your quality of life. At Foran & Foran, we work to hold negligent surgeons and medical staff accountable for the harm caused by these preventable errors. Our attorneys carefully investigate your case, collaborate with medical experts, and fight to obtain compensation for your injuries and related losses. 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.