Gallbladder surgeries are much less invasive than years ago, but that doesn’t mean the risk of complications has disappeared.
Even routine procedures have associated risks.
However, known risks are different from preventable mistakes. When a medical provider makes a mistake that harms you as a patient, you could have the right to bring a malpractice claim.
Understandably, prospective clients want to know the potential value for gallbladder malpractice settlements.
If you suffered a gallbladder surgery error, speak with an experienced New Mexico malpractice lawyer.
At Poulos & Coates, LLP, we have years of experience with medical negligence, including a gallbladder surgery gone wrong.
We have a medical doctor and nurse on staff who can evaluate your case and help you determine the best course of legal action.
How Gallbladder Surgery Works
Most gallbladder removal procedures are done through laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery rather than open surgery.
Through this method, the surgeon uses a small incision to insert a tiny camera into your abdomen. This camera allows them to see your gallbladder and other organs without cutting anything.
Having the ability to see around your bile ducts is crucial because they are close together and have a lot of bacteria.
Accidentally cutting into a bile duct rather than a cystic duct could cause a leak that endangers your life.
Potential Complications in a Gallbladder Surgery
Gallbladder removal (also known as cholecystectomy) is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the United States. Every year, over 700,000 Americans undergo this procedure to treat gallstones, inflammation, or infection. In most cases, recovery is quick, and complications are minimal.
But for some patients, the story takes a devastating turn. Instead of relief, they experience sharp pain, internal infections, or alarming symptoms post-surgery. Sometimes, they learn the surgeon accidentally severed their bile duct or left part of the gallbladder behind. Other times, a preventable infection spreads, leading to sepsis or long-term complications.
These outcomes are not simply “risks of surgery”—they can be signs of a surgical error caused by a provider’s failure to meet the standard of care.
Here are some common examples of errors during a gallbladder surgery:
- Damage to the bile duct—one of the most serious complications and can lead to bile leakage, infection, and liver damage;
- Injury to nearby organs—including the liver, intestines, or blood vessels;
- Incomplete removal—leaving behind part of the gallbladder can cause ongoing symptoms and may require a second surgery;
- Post-operative complications—including infection, internal bleeding, or delayed recognition of an injury; and
- Failure to monitor or follow up—negligent post-operative care can allow complications to worsen unnoticed.
Having some minor short-term complications following gallbladder surgery can be expected. You may expect issues like some stomach cramping and the inability to digest fatty foods. However, severe pain, nausea, and fever are not typical.
While no surgery is risk-free, these types of complications in a gallbladder surgery often stem from negligence, inexperience, poor communication, or lack of preparation, making them preventable.
Proving Liability for a Gallbladder Surgery Error
If you believe medical negligence might play a role in your current injuries, it’s important to speak with an experienced New Mexico medical malpractice lawyer right away.
When you meet with Poulos & Coates, we will sit down with you and discuss the facts of your case. We will determine whether a medical error is responsible for your injuries.
Our goal is to help build the strongest case possible and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Determining liability in a malpractice case is more than just alleging a medical professional made a mistake.
You must determine who made a mistake and whether that mistake was preventable. There are multiple people involved in a gallbladder removal surgery.
Is the liable party the surgeon, or could it be the anesthesiologist, a nurse, the hospital, etc?
How New Mexico Law Protects You
If a healthcare provider’s negligence caused your injury, you have the right to file a medical malpractice claim under New Mexico law. The legal system recognizes that doctors and hospitals have a duty of care, which is a legal responsibility to provide treatment that meets accepted medical standards. When they fail in that duty and a patient is harmed as a result, the injured party has the right to seek compensation.
Under the New Mexico Medical Malpractice Act, patients typically have three years from the date of the malpractice to file a lawsuit. However, in some cases, the clock may not start until the injury is discovered, so it’s essential to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
A qualified legal team can review your medical records, consult with experts, and determine whether the care you received fell below the required standard.
What Happens Next: Your Legal Journey Starts Here
We know that deciding to take legal action can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re still healing or grieving. That’s why Poulos & Coates is different. If you’re considering legal action after a gallbladder surgery error, here’s what you can expect when you reach out to us:
- Free consultation. We’ll listen carefully to your story and answer your initial questions. There’s no cost and no obligation.
- Medical record review. Our in-house medical experts will thoroughly review your records to identify signs of errors during gallbladder surgery and whether the care you received deviated from accepted standards.
- Legal strategy. If you have a valid claim, we’ll develop a customized legal strategy and pursue full compensation through negotiation or litigation on your behalf.
- Ongoing support. We handle every legal detail so you can focus on healing. Our team keeps you informed and involved every step of the way.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Our team is here to guide you with compassion, clarity, and strength at every step. Our team includes a licensed medical doctor and two registered nurses, allowing us to review your case with unparalleled medical insight.
When you choose Poulos & Coates, you’re choosing a team that understands both the law and the medicine behind your case. We’re here to carry the legal burden so you can focus on recovery and moving forward.
Contact a New Mexico Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Pursuing compensation for a gallbladder surgery error is complicated. You need a skilled legal advocate on your side who can protect your rights and build the strongest case possible.
With our expertise and medical professionals on staff, we are well-suited to help hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries.
Contact Poulos & Coates today to schedule an initial consultation.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations, so you have nothing to lose by meeting with us to determine whether you have a claim for medical malpractice in New Mexico.
Greig Coates, M.D., J.D.
Over the last thirty years, Dr. Coates has successfully represented plaintiffs in every conceivable type of medical malpractice lawsuit–from single-physician cases to complex litigation involving over a dozen doctors and several hospitals. Dr. Coates has taken several thousand physician depositions in his career involving every known physician specialty and sub-specialty, and almost as many depositions involving hospital personnel such as nurses, techs, and administrators. He has tried several dozen cases to successful verdicts.
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