What to Do If You Suspect Medical Negligence After Surgery in Seattle

Estimated Reading Time: 3-4 minutes

Table of Contents

• Recognizing the Signs of Surgical Negligence

• Immediate Steps to Take

• Understanding Medical Malpractice Claims in Washington

• How Lindquist & Kornfeld Can Help

• Get the Support You Need

Undergoing surgery is a significant medical event that requires trust in your healthcare providers. When that trust is broken due to medical negligence, the consequences can be devastating. If you're experiencing unexpected complications, prolonged pain, or worsening symptoms after a surgical procedure in Seattle, you may be wondering whether something went wrong during your care.

At Lindquist & Kornfeld, we have over 40 years of experience helping injury victims throughout King County navigate complex medical malpractice claims. We understand how overwhelming it can be to face serious health complications while trying to determine your legal options.

Understanding what constitutes medical negligence and knowing the steps to take can help protect your rights and your health.

Recognizing the Signs of Surgical Negligence

Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient.

After surgery, warning signs may include:

• Unexpected complications that weren't discussed as potential risks

• Infections that develop due to unsanitary conditions or improper post-operative care

• Surgical errors such as operating on the wrong site, leaving instruments inside the body, or damaging nearby organs

• Anesthesia mistakes that cause oxygen deprivation, brain injury, or other serious harm

• Delayed diagnosis of post-surgical complications

• Inadequate follow-up care that allows treatable issues to worsen

While not every poor outcome indicates negligence, a pattern of preventable errors or a significant deviation from standard medical practices may suggest that malpractice occurred.

Immediate Steps to Take

If you suspect something went wrong during or after your surgery, taking prompt action is essential for both your health and any potential legal claim.

1. Seek Medical Attention

Your health must be the top priority. If you're experiencing severe symptoms, seek immediate medical care. Getting a second opinion from another healthcare provider can help identify whether complications resulted from negligence and what treatment you need now. This also creates an independent medical record that documents the issues you're facing.

2. Document Everything

Keep detailed records of your experience, including dates of appointments, names of healthcare providers, symptoms you're experiencing, and any conversations about your care. Take photographs of visible injuries or surgical sites if applicable. Save all medical bills, prescriptions, and documentation related to your surgery and follow-up care. This information becomes crucial evidence if you decide to pursue a medical malpractice claim.

3. Request Your Medical Records

You have the right to obtain copies of your complete medical records. Request records from the hospital, surgical center, and all providers involved in your care. Review these documents carefully or have them reviewed by another medical professional. Medical records can reveal critical details about what occurred during your surgery and whether proper protocols were followed.

4. Avoid Discussing Your Case Publicly

While it's natural to want to share your experience, avoid posting about your situation on social media or discussing details with anyone other than your attorney and new healthcare providers. Insurance companies and defense attorneys may use public statements against you in a malpractice case.

Understanding Medical Malpractice Claims in Washington

Washington state has specific requirements for medical malpractice cases. You typically have three years from the date of the injury or one year from when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury to file a claim, whichever comes first.

Medical malpractice cases are complex and require expert testimony to establish that the healthcare provider's actions fell below the accepted standard of care. This is why working with an experienced medical malpractice attorney is essential to building a strong case.

How Lindquist & Kornfeld Can Help

At Lindquist & Kornfeld, we understand that medical negligence cases require thorough investigation and a deep understanding of both medical and legal issues. Our team has the experience and resources necessary to evaluate your case, work with medical experts, and pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

We handle medical malpractice cases involving surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, post-operative complications, and other forms of healthcare negligence. Our approach is to treat each client like family, providing personalized attention while aggressively pursuing justice on your behalf.

Get the Support You Need

Facing the aftermath of surgical negligence is overwhelming, both physically and emotionally. You shouldn't have to navigate this difficult time alone. Our attorneys are committed to helping injury victims across King County recover the compensation they need to move forward with their lives.

Call us at (425) 657-5255 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation. We're here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your path forward.

Lindquist & Kornfeld serves clients throughout the Seattle area, including Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, and surrounding communities. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—you pay no fees unless we win your case.