Holding Hospitals Accountable for Preventable Surgical Infections
Surgery is supposed to help patients recover and heal, but when proper safety measures are not followed, patients may develop dangerous infections. Post-surgical infections can lead to sepsis, organ failure, long-term complications, or even wrongful death. Most of these infections are preventable with proper sanitation, sterile technique, and patient monitoring.
At The C. Paul Law Firm P.C., we fight for patients across [City] and New York who developed serious infections after surgery due to hospital negligence or poor post-operative care.
Call today for a free consultation: (212) 551-PAUL
Common Types of Post-Surgical Infections
| Infection Type | Description | Potential Harm |
| Surgical Site Infection (SSI) | Infection at or near incision site | Pain, extended recovery, revision surgery |
| Sepsis | Body-wide infection from untreated SSI | Organ failure, death |
| MRSA & Superbugs | Hospital-acquired resistant bacteria | Hard-to-treat infections, long-term care |
| Organ/Implant Infection | Infections of surgical implants or organs | Loss of implant, multiple surgeries |
| Bone & Joint Infections | Post-orthopedic surgery infection | Permanent disability, chronic pain |
Causes of Post-Surgical Infections
- Failure to sterilize instruments or surgical areas
- Improper hand hygiene and sanitation
- Negligent monitoring of surgical wounds
- Early discharge without proper instructions
- Delayed diagnosis of infection symptoms
- Overuse of antibiotics leading to resistant bacteria
Legal Considerations in Post-Surgical Infection Cases
Patients must generally prove:
- The hospital or medical provider owed a duty of care.
- They breached that duty by failing to maintain proper safety standards.
- The breach directly caused the infection.
- The patient suffered measurable damages as a result.
Hospitals may also be liable for systemic failures, such as unsanitary conditions, poor staffing, or inadequate infection control protocols.
Compensation for Victims of Surgical Infections
Patients harmed by post-surgical negligence may recover damages for:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital readmission and additional surgeries
- Long-term antibiotic or infection care
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages for families
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all surgical infections malpractice?
No. Some infections occur despite proper care. Malpractice occurs when negligence or poor hospital practices caused or worsened the infection.
What if I developed MRSA after surgery?
If the infection was caused by poor sanitation or hospital negligence, you may have a valid claim.
How soon after surgery can I file a claim?
You typically have 2.5 years from the malpractice date in New York, though exceptions may apply.
Who is liable for my infection — the doctor or hospital?
Both may be liable, depending on whether the negligence came from the surgeon, nurses, or hospital systems.
Serving [City] and the Greater New York Area
We represent patients and families harmed by post-surgical infections in [City], Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and throughout New York.