A horrible incident of medical malpractice has made news around the nation after a 70-year-old man died when his surgeon removed his liver instead of his spleen.
The revelations that came afterward, however, make the whole incident even worse – and showcase one of the major problems in the current system.
Bad doctors can hide in plain sight
The surgeon who performed the recent botched operation was involved in an earlier incident where he removed someone’s pancreas instead of removing an adrenal gland. That case was settled, but the doctor continued to practice – with no apparent stain on his license.
This is not necessarily as unusual as you might think. Systemic issues in the medical system constantly allow doctors to slip through the cracks where accountability is concerned. This happens through:
- Underreporting by those in charge: Hospitals and clinics can be extremely reluctant to report a doctor’s failures out of fear that they’ll lose investors, damage their own reputations or open the door to additional lawsuits.
- Ineffective disciplinary processes by medical boards and regulatory agencies: It can take months or years before a medical board investigates a doctor who is accused of malpractice, and they usually keep practicing in the meantime.
- Overly lenient penalties: Even when a doctor is found responsible for malpractice or misconduct, the penalties can be surprisingly mild. Instead of a suspended or revoked license, doctors may only face warnings, fines or additional training.
The fact that bad doctors continue to operate is a troubling issue – and the culture of silence among medical professionals is significant. If you or your loved one is injured in a surgical mishap, legal guidance can help you learn more.