Award-Winning Pittsburgh Surgical Error Attorneys
Last updated on September 2, 2025
A surgical error, no matter how small, can have devastating, lifelong consequences for the victim. If you or someone you love suffered from surgical malpractice, the time has come to find a reputable medical malpractice law firm.
At Phillips Froetschel, LLC, our medical malpractice attorneys have more than 40 combined years of experience serving the people of Allegheny County and all of Pennsylvania. Our team includes attorneys who hold AV Preeminent* Peer Review Ratings through Martindale-Hubbell, attorneys named to the Top 50 Lawyers in Pittsburgh and attorneys selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers. We handle routine surgical errors as well as high-profile claims involving substantial surgical error compensation.
Our deep and broad knowledge of medical malpractice law and the details of a successful claim mean we can answer all your questions and set your mind at ease. Schedule your free initial consultation by calling our Pittsburgh office at 412-643-0682 or reaching out to us online.
What To Know About Surgical Malpractice
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that at least 4,000 surgical errors occur in the United States every year. Some of the most common are:
- Accidental incisions
- Foreign object left inside
- Operation on the wrong part
- Wrong operation
- Unrecognized incisions
- Failure to repair intraoperative incisions
- Failing to control bleeding
The consequences of such an error can include:
- Internal bleeding
- Infection
- Organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Tissue damage
- Partial or total paralysis
- Wrongful death
Surgical malpractice claims require you to prove that your surgeon deviated from the expected standard of care, caused you injury and that you have damages. Proving this is incredibly difficult, as a negative outcome does not necessarily indicate malpractice. You need a reputable and experienced team like ours.
Frequently Asked Questions On Surgical Errors
Patients undergoing surgery trust medical teams with their health and safety. Unfortunately, surgery errors can occur, leaving lasting physical, emotional and financial consequences. The FAQs answered below address key legal considerations regarding Pennsylvania surgical errors.
Who can be held accountable for surgical errors?
When surgical malpractice happens, responsibility can extend beyond the operating surgeon. Liability may involve:
- Surgeons who commit mistakes such as wrong-site surgery.
- Anesthesiologists responsible for anesthesia errors.
- Nurses and support staff who fail to follow safety procedures.
- Hospitals or surgical centers where unsafe or dangerous conditions were present.
- Device or equipment manufacturers when defects contribute to harm.
An experienced Pittsburgh surgical error attorney can assess records, consult experts and determine all parties who may be legally responsible.
What is the deadline for filing a surgical errors lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
In most cases, patients have two years from the date the surgery error was discovered or should have been discovered to file a lawsuit. When you miss this deadline, it can prevent the recovery of damages. However, exceptions apply for minors and in cases where the injury was not immediately clear.
Our Pennsylvania surgical error lawyers can review the facts, help ensure proper filing within the statute of limitations and preserve crucial evidence. This is because acting quickly is essential to protect your legal rights.
What are examples of anesthesia errors and their consequences?
Anesthesia errors can happen before, during or after surgery, often with serious results. These errors may include:
- Overdose or underdose, leading to complications such as brain injury or awareness during surgery.
- Failure to monitor vital signs, causing oxygen loss or cardiac arrest.
- Ignoring known allergies, resulting in life-threatening reactions.
- Improper intubation, which can block airways or cause lung injury.
- Medication mix-ups or contraindicated drug combinations.
- Malfunctioning or miscalibrated machines, lines or alarms.
These failures can lead to hypoxic brain injury, cardiac arrest, aspiration pneumonia, nerve damage, awareness during surgery, stroke, organ failure or death. Patients may also suffer PTSD, chronic pain and prolonged hospitalization. Prompt investigation preserves chart data, device logs and witness accounts that prove causation and fault.
Our attorneys can investigate the cause, work with medical experts and pursue compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Holding the right parties accountable can also help prevent similar harm to others.
At Phillips Froetschel, We Are Committed To Making It Right
After a surgical error, you can trust our team at Phillips Froetschel, LLC. Please contact us for further help. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not charge you any fees unless we recover compensation. To make a free consultation, call our Pittsburgh office at 412-643-0682 or send us an email.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.