Orthopedic doctors and surgeons handle injuries related to bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves throughout the human body. Orthopedic physicians are responsible for many implant surgeries, diagnosing and operating on muscle tears, bone fractures, hip replacements and nerve damage. Given the scope of the orthopedic specialty, mistakes are bound to happen. While human errors are inevitable, patients usually are not responsible for these injuries, which can result in debilitating pain and suffering, financial loss, and even death.

Some of the common injuries caused by orthopedic doctors or surgeons include:

    * The loss of a limb

    * Development of blood clots before or after surgery. If the clot travels to the lungs or brain, it can be fatal.

    * Complications from knee surgery

    * Complications from any arthroscopic surgery

    * Complications from knee or hip replacement

    * Blood vessel injury during surgery

    * Nerve vessel damage

    * Failure to diagnose or properly treat wrist or arm fractures causing serious injury

    * Failure to properly treat a neck fracture, causing serious injury

    * Failure to properly treat a hip fracture, causing serious injury or the need for a hip replacement

    * Failure to properly treat a spine fracture, causing serious injury, paralysis or paraplegia

    * Failure to diagnose any fracture as the result of misreading or failure to order an x-ray

    * Failure to fit a patient with appropriate screws or plates

    * Failure to treat inflammation or pain as a result of the healing and treatment process

    * Anesthesia-related injuries

    * Infection or sepsis

    * Decreased mobility

If you or a loved one has been the victim of orthopedic medical malpractice, you may be entitled to damages, including medical expenses, lost wages and other compensation.