You just completed surgery after feeling very scared, and you come around from the anaesthetic to see the wrong arm bandaged. This would be an example of wrong-site surgery which sounds an extraordinary occurrence.
But, in fact, from April 2025 to November 2025, the NHS reported 116 incidents of wrong-site surgeries.
These incidents, often classed as “never events”, occur when a surgery is carried out on the wrong site, body part, or even patient.
So, if anything of the sort has happened to you, do not hesitate to file a wrongful surgery claim immediately.
At PR Scully, our specialist medical negligence solicitors are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve for any surgical errors that have impacted you or a loved one.
Call 0161 768 317 or request a callback to become our next successful surgical error claim client who should be compensated for the physical harm and emotional trauma you’ve gone through at the hands of a surgeon you trusted.
What is Wrong-Site Surgery?
There’s no second-guessing the meaning of a wrong-site surgery.
It refers to any inappropriate surgery carried out on the incorrect site, such as:
- Operating on the wrong limb or the wrong side
- Performing the wrong procedure
- Operating on the wrong organ or part of the body
Imagine waking up from surgery only to see your wrong arm bandaged, or being told the surgery was a success, only to find out it could result in unexpected, life-changing consequences.
How Do These Errors Happen?
As incredible as it may sound for these incidents to occur, they do, and usually due to failures in surgical protocols, poor communication, or a lack of proper checks in the operating room.
Despite strict patient safety measures, common causes for these unbelievable mistakes include:
- Inaccurate medical records
- Incorrect patient’s information
- Failures within the surgical team
- Poor communication by a medical professional
- Lack of checks to confirm the correct site before invasive procedures
Every single one of these is an easily preventable mistake, so when they occur, they can be classed as surgical negligence.
If that term sounds serious, it’s because it is simply for the devastating consequences it can have for a patient when such mistakes happen.
What Impact Can Wrong-Site Surgery Have on Patients?
The effects of wrong-site surgery claims can be severe and life-changing.
Patients may suffer:
- Severe physical injuries
- Permanent disability
- Need for further corrective surgeries
- Chronic pain and long-term complications
- Significant emotional consequences and distress
- Financial losses, including medical expenses
Whatever way you look at the circumstances, wrong-site surgery has absolutely zero redeeming factors for the poor individuals who have been subjected to surgical errors. Whether it be from a financial, emotional, or physical standpoint, the negatives could be unfathomable.
This is why at PR Scully, we want to ensure that we can at least help with the financial strain of your pain and suffering.
Making a Surgical Negligence Claim
So, how can you make a wrong-site surgery compensation claim?
The best answer is with the expert medical negligence claims team at PR Scully.
Our medical negligence solicitors will do a thorough analysis of your situation, in which we assess:
- Your medical records
- Evidence such as witness statements and expert opinions
- Whether proper procedures were followed by the healthcare provider or hospital trust, etc.
By working with expert medical negligence solicitors, you can guarantee that your case will be in safer hands than with the medical team that performed your surgery.
We will look at every detail to ensure we pursue compensation in the best way on your behalf. This could be done with an out-of-court settlement or court representation if necessary.
What Could Wrong Site Surgery Compensation Cover?
Each case is different, so how much compensation you could be awarded can vary.
Having said that, a successful wrong-site surgery compensation claim may include:
- Costs of additional surgeries and rehabilitation
- Compensation for physical injuries and emotional trauma
- Loss of earnings or other financial losses
- Ongoing care for long-term complications
It’s not going to come as a shock that the amount awarded depends on the severity of the injury and its impact on your life. Ultimately, the aim for us and the legal system is to provide an amount that is representative of your suffering and holds medical professionals accountable for their errors.
Time Limits and Legal Advice
The reason we stress that you make your wrong-site surgery claims immediately is that there is a time limit in play – often within three years of the incident or when you became aware of the issue. This time limit is more than sufficient to file and win, but the longer you wait, the more challenging it could be to gather the evidence needed.
If the victim of the medical negligence claim is under the age of 18, then a parent or guardian can make the claim on their behalf or wait for them to come of age.
You can always find out more information about the time limit by ringing 0161 768 317 and speaking to our medical negligence team.
Start Your Claim Today
If you or a loved one has experienced wrong-site surgery, it is time to hold them accountable for the pain and suffering caused.
Contact PR Scully today, call 0161 768 317, or request a callback so that we can claim compensation for the medical negligence you suffered.