What Happens When Doctors Remove the Wrong Organ or Limb?

 Posted on February 26, 2025 in Medical Malpractice

Approximately 50 million surgical procedures are performed annually in the U.S. While most doctors are committed to the careful practice of medicine according to the highest standard of care, doctors are human and can make mistakes. Sometimes these are genuine mistakes of fact, while other errors are the result of careless mistakes, faulty hospital record-keeping, or practicing under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

One of the most serious kinds of medical malpractice happens when a surgeon removes the wrong organ or limb, or mistakenly removes an organ or limb that should not have been removed. As difficult as it may be to believe that such a thing could happen, these types of surgical mistakes are not infrequent. Cases like this can result in severe life-long injuries and changes to patient quality of life, including the need for ongoing medical care or job loss. If you believe that a surgeon wrongfully operated on you, it is important to take action right away by consulting with an experienced Rockford, IL medical malpractice attorney.

How Can These Never Events Happen?

Never events are medical mistakes that are so obvious they should never have happened. Removing the wrong limb or organ is entirely preventable and absolutely qualifies as a never event. Common examples include operating on the wrong side of the body, performing surgery on the wrong patient, performing the wrong procedure, and misidentifying organs. These and similar surgical errors may happen because:

• The hospital staff failed to identify the patient correctly.

• The surgeon was impaired due to fatigue, drugs, or alcohol.

• The correct surgical site was not clearly marked on the patient’s body.

• The surgical team did not communicate properly.

• The surgeon misread medical images or patient profiles.

• Time and scheduling restraints caused the surgical team to rush.

With a reasonable amount of care, these forms of medical negligence are avoidable.

Sentinel events are medical errors that directly cause physical or psychological harm to patients. In 2023, 1,411 sentinel events were reported nationwide. Of those events, 112 (8 percent) were wrong surgeries, representing a 26 percent increase over 2022 figures.

What Are the Long-Term Consequences of Grievous Surgical Errors?

Of the 112 sentinel events mentioned above, 39 percent caused severe temporary harm, 14 percent led to permanent damage, and 39 percent of the patients affected required additional, unexpected medical care. The long-term physical consequences can vary widely, depending on the exact surgical error that was made. For example, suppose a surgeon removed the healthy right foot instead of the unhealthy left foot. The left foot still needs medical intervention, but the patient will not have either foot afterward. Removing the wrong kidney can be life-threatening, and removing the wrong eye will leave the patient totally blind after the unhealthy eye is removed.

Regardless of the various physical consequences, almost all wrong-surgery victims have similar emotional and mental trauma. You trusted your surgeon to perform the correct surgery that was intended to treat your condition, whatever it may have been. Instead, you wake from the anesthesia to discover that not only was your condition not treated, but your body has also been permanently altered. The effects of that alteration will be compounded when the correct surgery is performed.

Feelings of outrage, hopelessness, betrayal, and vulnerability can profoundly affect your quality of life. When negligent surgical mistakes are responsible for your damages, you can pursue compensation by filing a medical malpractice claim.

How Much Could I Be Awarded for a Wrongful Surgery Case?

As with most issues in the law, the answer is, "It depends." Damages in these cases are specific losses you suffered and the money you could receive as a means of compensation. Of course, no amount of money can fix the problem and make it seem as though the wrong surgery was never performed. However, due to additional medical care required and a compromised ability to work and earn an income, the doctor’s error could cause you significant financial loss and this can help in some small way. Your attorney will calculate your eligible damages, which may include:

• Current and future medical expenses

• Current and future lost income

• Ongoing care costs

• Costs of adaptive or medical equipment

• Expenses of home and transportation modifications to accommodate new disabilities

• Depression and anxiety

• Loss of the enjoyment of life

• Pain and suffering

If your loved one died as a result of the wrong surgery, you could recover additional damages through survival and wrongful death actions. There is no cap on economic and non-economic damages, and cases for wrongful surgery often result in significant awards. However, you need an attorney who is well-versed in handling and winning medical malpractice cases to maximize your compensation.

Why Do I Need an Attorney for Medical Malpractice Cases?

Few people understand medical terminology, concepts, and cause-and-effect scenarios. Many people wrongly believe that physicians are beyond reproach and may be biased in their favor. These facts can be a massive strike against you before you even get started.

To recover compensation in a medical malpractice case, you need proof of the medical negligence and the effects it had on your life. Then, you need to calculate your eligible damages accurately and fight insurance companies to receive as much as you are entitled to. You are dealing with enough due to your wrong surgery without taking on this additional stress. Your attorney can handle all aspects of your case competently, keeping you involved and informed at every step.

Obtaining Evidence

You need evidence proving that medical negligence caused the harm you suffered. Uncovering and preserving that evidence requires an intensive investigation. You must also provide evidence that supports the various losses you suffered as a result. This may require expert medical and psychological evaluations and testimony. Our familiarity with these cases, resources, and investigative experience allow us to comb through the evidence to build an iron-clad case.

Negotiating With Insurers

Medical malpractice insurance companies try hard to protect their policyholders, even when they know your surgeon or other medical professionals made negligent mistakes. Almost every insurer tries to reduce its liability at your expense. Your attorney knows how to outmaneuver these companies. We always pursue the highest available amount of compensation, whether through settlement negotiations or at trial. Working with us, you have a much better chance of recovering maximum compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Case? 

Illinois medical malpractice cases have certain restrictions that make it crucial to take quick action following a medical incident. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits is two years from the date you knew or should have known about the malpractice; for patients of wrongful amputation or organ removal, that is likely two years from the date of the surgery. However, even if you did not discover the wrongful surgery right away, you will usually only have a maximum of four years from the surgery date to file a medical malpractice suit.

Before you can even file the suit, however, certain things need to be taken care of. You will need to meet with an attorney and fill out an affidavit stating that you have had a knowledgeable healthcare professional assess your case who agrees that there is merit to your case. Building your case can take time, so it is important to start as soon as possible following an incident, when evidence is easier to collect.

Contact a Determined Rockford, IL Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today

A surgery gone wrong can have lifelong implications for the victim. If you or someone you love suffered or died because a surgeon wrongfully removed an organ or limb, contact a Winnebago County, IL medical malpractice attorney with Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois. We will fight aggressively to recover the compensation you deserve. Call 815-215-7561 or contact us online to request your complimentary case review.