In Ireland, hip surgeries are often carried out to a high standard with no ill effect on the patient thereafter. Unfortunately occasions do arise where the standard of care, skill and expertise is inadequate and people suffer adverse effects.
Hip replacements are often performed to improve a person’s mobility and quality of life. Operations are required to rectify injuries, aid congenital abnormalities, arthritis and wear and tear of a hip joint. However, mistakes made during a procedure can have the opposite effect and result in increased suffering.
When a medical professional fails in their duty during a hip replacement, a number of problems can arise such as the following:
- Blood clots
- Change in leg length
- Dislocation
- Fractures
- Avoidable nerve injuries
- Infection as a result of substandard hygiene
- Wrong size implant
- Incorrectly placed implant
- Loosening of the hip replacement
- Performing surgery on the wrong hip
- Damage to tissue, ligament cartilage and veins unnecessarily during surgery
- Substandard post-operative care and treatment
- Metal toxicity due to choice of implants (discussed further below)
The concern about metal-on-metal hip replacements is that implants caused significant problems within the first few years of replacement. In some cases, this has caused serious and permanent injuries. Patients with metal-on-metal implants have been found to have high levels of metal ions in their bloodstream and have received high compensation awards for their suffering as a result of this.
It is the responsibility of the surgeon and hospital staff to ensure potential risks are avoided. Hip replacement negligence does not only refer to hip replacement surgery, it also includes treatment during pre-surgical preparation and in patient’s post-operative care.
If a negligent hip replacement has caused you to suffer avoidable pain, impaired mobility or any other medical complication, you may be in a position to make a hip replacement surgery compensation claim. Provided you have a valid case to answer for, you will be entitled for compensation for the physical pain and suffering endured as well as special damages to cover the costs of any expenses which you have incurred as a result of the negligence experience to include any future losses you may experience.
At Tiernan & Co. Solicitors we have the knowledge and experience to help our clients who have experienced complications with their hip replacements due to surgical error. We take a pro-active approach to ensuring you get the compensation deserved whilst you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
