Minneapolis Surgical Error Lawyer

You trusted your surgeon to make you healthier—not leave you with a new injury. When a preventable surgical mistake turns a routine procedure into a life-changing setback, you may be facing a harder life than the one you had before you walked into the operating room.

At Meshbesher & Spence, we have spent more than 60 years helping injured Minnesotans hold negligent parties accountable. Our attorneys understand the details these cases require, from reviewing complex medical records to working with qualified experts to uncover what went wrong.

If you or a loved one suffered because of a surgical mistake, call (612) 339-9121 or fill out our online form to speak with a member of our team during a free consultation.

“They are amazing! They kept me informed along the way, they answered any and all questions, and they took the time to explain things in layman’s terms. They were fast and efficient, but also took their time in making sure that they got me what I deserved. 

I was nervous starting this process, and they made sure that I felt heard, which was/is a big thing to me! I’m so thankful to them! This is a great law firm to work with!”

– Allyson B. | Client

What Are Surgical Errors?

A surgical error is a mistake made before, during, or after a surgical procedure that causes preventable harm to a patient. Not every poor medical outcome is caused by negligence. Some procedures carry known risks, even when doctors and medical staff provide appropriate care.

However, when a medical professional fails to follow accepted safety practices, that mistake may be considered medical malpractice.

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Compensation a Minneapolis Surgical Errors Lawyer Can Help You Pursue

A surgical mistake can turn one procedure into a long road of unexpected treatment, lost time, and life changes you never agreed to.

A claim after a surgical error may help address the losses caused by that mistake, including:

• Medical bills from corrective procedures, treatment, and rehabilitation
• Future medical care you may need because of your injury
• Wages you lost while recovering or changes to your ability to earn income
• The physical pain caused by the injury and additional treatment
• Permanent injuries or changes to your independence
• The impact the injury has had on your daily routines, relationships, and quality of life

Every situation is different. The cost of your care, the severity of your injuries, and the ways this mistake has affected your life all play a role in understanding what you may be entitled to recover.

Some surgical mistakes leave patients facing months or years of recovery. Others leave families grieving a loss that should never have happened.

If your spouse, parent, child, or another loved one died because of a preventable surgical error, your family may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Minnesota law. While no legal action can replace the person you’ve lost, it can provide answers, hold the responsible parties accountable, and help ease the financial burdens that often follow an unexpected death.

Examples of Common Surgical Errors

Surgical mistakes can happen in many ways. Some errors are caused by communication problems, while others may involve poor planning, inadequate training, or failure to follow safety procedures.

Common cases a Minneapolis surgical error attorney handles include:

• Wrong-Site Surgery: Wrong-site surgery occurs when a surgeon operates on the wrong body part. 
• Wrong-Person Surgery: Although rare, operating on the wrong patient is a serious safety failure that can cause unnecessary injuries and emotional trauma.
• Leaving Surgical Instruments Inside a Patient: Surgical teams use many instruments and materials during procedures. When a tool, sponge, or other object is accidentally left inside a patient, it can lead to infection, pain, and additional surgeries.
• Anesthesia Errors: Anesthesia requires careful monitoring and precise dosing. Errors involving anesthesia can result in oxygen deprivation, brain injuries, medication complications, or other serious harm.
• Nerve Damage: A surgeon may accidentally damage nearby nerves during a procedure. While some nerve injuries are recognized risks, unnecessary damage caused by careless actions may be grounds for a claim.
• Organ or Tissue Damage: Surgeons must carefully navigate around organs and other structures. Mistakes during surgery can cause unexpected injuries requiring additional treatment.
• Infection Due to Poor Sterile Practices: Surgical teams must follow strict infection-control procedures. Failure to maintain sterile conditions may expose patients to dangerous infections.
• Medication Errors During Surgery: Incorrect medications, incorrect dosages, or failures to review a patient’s medical history can create serious problems down the line.
• Failure to Monitor a Patient: Patients require proper monitoring before, during, and after surgery. Failure to do so can result in a worsening condition.
• Delayed Treatment After a Surgical Complication: A surgical problem may become more serious when medical staff fail to identify and treat complications quickly.

What Mistakes Qualify for a Minneapolis Surgical Errors Lawsuit

Surgeons and hospital staff work under intense pressure, but that pressure does not excuse negligent care. Underlying causes of surgical errors include:

• Poor communication between medical staff
• Inadequate review of patient records
• Fatigue or understaffing
• Failure to follow surgical checklists
• Inexperience or lack of training
• Miscommunication about medications or allergies
• Rushing through important safety steps
• Failure to properly monitor a patient

When a preventable error changes your recovery, leaves you with new injuries, or forces you to undergo additional treatment, it is worth finding out what happened.

If something about your care does not feel right, do not ignore that feeling. You have the right to ask questions and understand whether your injury was simply an unfortunate outcome or the result of a mistake that should have been prevented. Contact Meshbesher & Spence at (612) 339-9121 or fill out our online form to discuss your concerns with a Minneapolis surgical error attorney.

How Meshbesher & Spence Can Help

Medical malpractice cases are some of the toughest legal battles a person can face. Large hospitals and medical malpractice insurance companies have teams of defense lawyers whose entire job is to deny wrongdoing. 

Since 1961, Meshbesher & Spence has represented injured individuals and families who have lost loved ones due to negligence. 

Our team will:

• Order and review every page of your hospital records and surgical logs.
• Partner with respected medical experts to fulfill Minnesota’s strict affidavit requirements.
• Identify every doctor, nurse, or medical facility that shares liability for your injuries.
• Handle all communications, phone calls, and tough negotiations with the insurance companies.
• Take your case to trial if the medical providers refuse to offer a fair settlement.

Hiring a lawyer can make a major difference in the outcome of your case. People who worked with a lawyer were more than twice as likely to receive compensation. They also received more than four times the average compensation, with payouts averaging $77,600 compared to $17,600.

Long-Term Effects of a Surgical Error

A surgical error is rarely a quick fix. It’s something that can follow you for months, years, or even the rest of your life. While you expected a brief recovery period, you may now be dealing with permanent health challenges, including:

• Additional surgeries or corrective procedures
• Chronic pain
• Serious infections or sepsis
• Nerve damage
• Brain injuries caused by oxygen deprivation or anesthesia errors
• Spinal cord injuries
• Damage to organs or internal bleeding
• Permanent disability or loss of function
• Loss of a limb in severe cases
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Long-term rehabilitation
• Emotional distress, anxiety, or depression
• Loss of income because you’re unable to return to work
• Wrongful death

What to Do After a Surgical Error

Many surgical errors aren’t discovered right away. If your recovery hasn’t gone as expected or you’re starting to question the care you received, here are a few steps you can take:

• Consider Getting a Second Opinion: If your recovery doesn’t feel right, another doctor may be able to identify complications, recommend additional treatment, or confirm whether your outcome was expected.
• Request Copies of Your Medical Records: Ask for your surgical records, discharge instructions, imaging, and any follow-up records related to your care. 
• Keep a Journal: Write down how your injury affects your day-to-day life. Note your symptoms, doctor visits, missed work, activities you can no longer do, and questions that come up during your recovery.
• Consult a Minneapolis Surgical Error Lawyer: Contact an experienced attorney before speaking with hospital risk managers or insurance representatives. A lawyer will review your records and shield you from tactics designed to minimize your claim.

Don’t ignore your gut. Many clients tell us they had a feeling something wasn’t right long before they had all of the proof. If your recovery has raised more questions than answers, it’s worth having your case reviewed. 

Contact Meshbesher & Spence today online or by calling (612) 339-9121 to schedule a 100% free case evaluation.

Important Deadlines and Minneapolis Laws for Medical Malpractice Claims

Navigating the legal system requires strict adherence to state laws and deadlines. If you miss these windows, you will lose your right to pursue justice entirely.

The Statute of Limitations

In Minnesota, the deadline to file a medical malpractice lawsuit is generally four years from the date the injury occurred. This is a strict deadline. 

However, under the “discovery rule,” if the error could not have been reasonably found right away (like a sponge left inside the body that causes an infection months later), the timeline may shift slightly. 

The Expert Review Requirement

Minnesota law also requires a special step before you can proceed with a medical malpractice lawsuit. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 145.682, your legal team must serve an Affidavit of Expert Review alongside the initial lawsuit. 

This document must state that an independent, qualified medical expert has reviewed your case records and believes that the healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care, directly causing your injuries.

Patient Safety and Surgical Error Rates in Minneapolis

According to the Minnesota Department of Health 2025 Adverse Health Events Report, the state saw a total of 624 reportable adverse health events between October 2023 and October 2024. This total represents a continued, multi-year upward trend in medical mistakes across Minnesota hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.

The state data highlights specific surgical failures that directly impact local families:

• The number of surgeries performed statewide jumped 8.5% to 621,205 procedures, which health officials noted contributed to a rise in wrong body part and wrong procedure errors.
• There were 24 cases of retained foreign objects where surgical items were unintentionally left inside a patient’s body.
• The report documented 4 wrong body part procedures and 6 wrong procedure events where surgeries did not match patient consent forms.
• Common root causes cited by the state included a drift in “time-out” rigor, failure to look at site markings, and severe communication breakdowns during staff turnover in the operating room.

Contact a Minneapolis Surgical Error Lawyer Today

When you go into surgery, you expect medical professionals to take every reasonable step to protect your health. If a preventable mistake causes serious harm, you deserve answers about what happened.

Meshbesher & Spence has spent more than six decades helping injured people and families hold negligent parties accountable. Our attorneys understand the challenges that come with medical injuries and are prepared to review your case.

Call (612) 339-9121 or fill out our online form today to request a free consultation. The lawyer you choose makes a difference.

Proudly Representing Minneapolis Residents