Surgical Staple Injuries

Surgical staples are commonly used to close incisions or repair tissues during medical procedures, but when applied incorrectly or malfunctioning, the results can be catastrophic. Improperly placed staples or defective devices can cause complications such as internal bleeding, infections, or organ damage, often requiring additional surgeries to correct. Patients harmed by these preventable errors deserve accountability for their endured harm. A Prince George’s County surgical staple injury lawyer can guide you through pursuing justice.

At Foran & Foran, we focus on providing dedicated legal support to patients affected by surgical staple injuries. Our attorneys meticulously review your medical records, consult with experts, and identify instances of negligence or product defects that contributed to your injury. We work to ensure you receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and the emotional toll of such an incident, allowing you to move forward with confidence. Contact our team to discuss your case and take the first steps toward recovery.

Surgical staples are widely used for tasks such as closing wounds, resections, and anastomoses, but their improper use or malfunction can result in severe complications. Injuries caused by surgical staples often stem from device failures or medical negligence, leading to adverse outcomes such as:

• Staple misfires. When a stapler malfunctions, it may fail to close tissue properly, causing leaks or incomplete wound closure that can lead to infections or internal bleeding.
• Tissue damage. Overuse of force or improper alignment can tear or crush tissue, resulting in prolonged healing or additional surgery.
• Infections. Contaminated staples or inadequate sterilization can introduce harmful bacteria, leading to life-threatening infections.
• Intestinal leaks. In gastrointestinal surgeries, staple line leaks can cause sepsis or other serious complications.
• Internal bleeding. Poorly placed staples can puncture blood vessels, leading to significant blood loss.

These complications often require additional medical intervention, increasing recovery times and financial burdens. If you or a loved one has experienced harm due to surgical staples, a Prince George’s County surgical staple injuries lawyer can help determine the cause of your injury and pursue compensation.

Liability for surgical staple injuries may rest with either the stapler's manufacturer or the healthcare provider who used it. Determining responsibility requires a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the injury.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the regulation of surgical staplers, but despite this oversight, reports of malfunctions and injuries are significant. Between 2011 and 2018, the FDA received more than 41,000 reports related to stapler issues, including 366 deaths, 9,000 serious injuries, and over 32,000 malfunctions. Many of these incidents were tied to manufacturing defects, such as:

• Faulty stapler design that leads to misfires;
• Poorly constructed staples that break or deform; and
• Ineffective testing and quality assurance processes.

When manufacturing errors are the root cause of an injury, victims may be entitled to compensation from the device maker. A Prince George’s County surgical staple injuries attorney can review FDA reports and product recalls to establish liability.

In other cases, injuries result from negligence on the part of the surgeon or medical staff. Providers are responsible for selecting the correct stapler, ensuring its proper function, and using it skillfully during the procedure. Common examples of negligence include:

• Failing to follow manufacturer guidelines for device operation;
• Misaligning staples during placement; and
• Using a defective stapler without adequate inspection.

Both manufacturers and medical providers owe a duty of care to patients, and failure to meet that duty may result in serious harm. By consulting a Prince George’s County surgical staple injuries lawyer, you can identify the liable party and pursue justice for your injuries.

Surgical staple injuries can occur in a variety of healthcare environments, each with unique risks:

While surgical staples are rarely used in urgent care, complications can arise when improperly trained staff handle minor procedures requiring staples. Inadequate sterilization and misapplication are common issues in these fast-paced environments.

Hospitals account for a large portion of surgical staple injuries due to the high volume of operations performed. Complications often result from miscommunication among surgical teams, rushed procedures, or reliance on outdated devices.

As outpatient surgeries become more common, surgical staples have increased in these settings. However, limited resources and shorter recovery periods can make it harder to detect complications, leading to delayed diagnoses.

Prolonged surgeries in inpatient settings, particularly procedures lasting more than four hours, increase the risk of staple misfires or tissue damage. The higher complexity of these operations often requires greater precision to avoid injury.

Each setting carries its challenges, but patients harmed by surgical staples in any environment deserve accountability. A Prince George’s County surgical staple injuries attorney can investigate the context of your injury and determine if negligence played a role.

Surgical staple injuries, such as misfires, infections, or internal bleeding, are preventable and often stem from physician negligence or defective medical devices. At Foran & Foran, we are dedicated to helping patients hold manufacturers and healthcare providers accountable for the harm caused by these mistakes. Whether your injury occurred due to improper staple placement or a faulty device, our experienced attorneys will fight to secure the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how the Prince George's County medical malpractice lawyers at Foran & Foran can help with your case, 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.