--- description: The lawyers at Chaikin Sherman Cammarata Siegel, P.C. can help you seek compensation for your pain and suffering. Call today. title: DC Surgical Error Attorney | Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. --- DC Surgical Error Attorney | Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. # Surgical Errors Last Updated: September 4, 2024 Reading Time: < 1 minute Trusted Content Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 2 years ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Washington DC Medical Malpractice Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/medical-malpractice/) » Surgical Errors What's On This Page [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $35.6 Million Medical Malpractice $17.1 Million Medical Malpractice $5 Million Medical Malpractice $4.5 Million Medical Malpractice $600,000 Medical Malpractice [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) I would never worry again if they are on the case. Tilwanda Dofat Personal Injury They held my hand through the entire process. Meraf Mitchell They paved the way for a brighter future. Sheree Whitby I’m greeted with a hug every time I come. Sheba Halliburton Personal Injury They are always was available for any of my concerns. Teresa Morring Your office has taken care of us every step. Shyama Personal Injury ## Contact Us Today! "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Sheldon describes how a routine elective surgery left his wife with permanent anoxic brain injury, requiring around-the-clock care. Attorney Joseph Cammarata took the case to trial and secured a jury verdict exceeding $35 million — a record in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time. Video Transcript **Sheldon (00:05):** In October of 2015, which we just hit our nine-year anniversary, my wife went in for elective back surgery. And the course of that surgery, the surgeon nicked a stomach artery coming from the back and it took them 22 minutes to figure out how to stop the bleeding. They didn’t know where it was coming from. So essentially my wife coded for 22 minutes, no oxygen, no blood getting to the brain, she should have died. But they finally sutured her up and she lived because she’s a fighter, but she now and then had anoxic brain injury and nine years later she still can’t perform any of the activities of daily living. She never will be able to. She’s incontinent. She requires a caregiver 24/7, and I’m that caregiver about 70% of the time. My kids were 13 and 16 at the time. So I had to kind of say, well, mommy’s not coming home from the hospital the next day, and eventually your mother’s not going to be coming home the same. **Sheldon (01:00):** So they now kind of take care of her and they don’t have a mom anymore that they knew, and I can’t replace her in that sense. Her salary and she was working at the time, was going to go to the college education and I was working. So it changed a lot of things, but primarily we just lost the person we knew to love. So at the point when I finally realized I wanted to get some legal assistance, I shopped around a little bit and then I thought about Joe and I’m glad I did. So I came to this office and we talked about the case and he was aware that she’d been injured, but didn’t know any of the details, and he looked into it and said, this is a case I want to take on. I want to help you guys. The jury voted in favor of us. **Sheldon (01:49):** The award was the highest in this Commonwealth of Virginia at the time. It was excess of 35 million. Help you address it. Do you know that I had anoxic brain interest? You do. So if I was in my shoes again or talking to someone about what they would do, I would call this firm. I think they’re really great. They’re good people. They’ve been doing this for a long time. So I just think you would get a fair shake here and you would be well treated. And it’s not, again, just attorneys. It’s a team of people behind the scenes that will help you. So I’m not being paid to give this endorsement, but I think they’re really good for. # Surgical Errors ## Failure to Perform Correct Surgical Procedures Prior to a surgery, your doctor probably told you about the different risks and complications that might arise. Your doctor probably did not tell you that surgical errors could also occur during many procedures. Unfortunately, thousands of people are permanently scarred, injured, or even die from medical malpractice because of errors made during and after surgery. **Surgical errors** include errors made during pre-operative and postoperative care. A surgical error may result from something as simple as an incorrect incision, or as serious as operating on the wrong side of the body, the wrong organ, or even the wrong person. Surgeons can also make errors by puncturing internal organs or even leaving medical utensils inside the body. Unfortunately, thousands of people are victims of surgical error every year. A surgical error can cause excessive and unnecessary pain and suffering, or even [wrongful death](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wrongful-death/). Sometimes, surgeons are trusted to correct medical conditions that a patient is suffering from, only to leave the patient with the pain and scars of an error made by the surgeon. Surgical errors can occur even in the easiest or most common surgeries. Being the victim of a surgical error is a terrible thing, and you deserve to be compensated for it. A **medical malpractice claim** can provide you with compensation for pain, suffering, lost wages, and your medical bills. **[Contact our medical malpractice lawyers at the law offices of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. ](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/)for your free consultation with one of our attorneys. The Washington, DC attorneys will work with you to determine of you are the victim of medical malpractice and what compensation you should expect to receive because of it.** [Watch Our Video Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) ## Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The car accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. serve the entire Washington, D.C. metro area, including [Virginia](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/virginia/)  ([Northern Virginia](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/northern-virginia/),  [Arlington](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/auto-accident-attorneys-in-arlington-va/), [Fairfax](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/fairfax/),  [Woodbridge](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/woodbridge-va/),  [Manassas](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/manassas-va/),  and [Alexandria](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/alexandria-car-accident-lawyers/)), and [Maryland](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/maryland/)  ([Bethesda](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/bethesda-car-accident-lawyer/),  [Hyattsville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/hyattsville/),  [Rockville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/car-accident-lawyer-rockville-md/),  [Laurel](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/laurel/),  [Montgomery County](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/montgomery-county/),  [Prince George’s County](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/prince-georges-county/),  [Waldorf](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/waldorf/),  [Upper Marlboro](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/upper-marlboro/),  [Frederick](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/frederick/),  [Bowie](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/bowie-md/),  and  [Silver Spring](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/auto-accident-lawyers-in-silver-spring-md/)). Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. Stephen Ollar's Bio Related Articles Read More Blog Articles $17.1 Million Medical Malpractice Verdict Pharmaceutical Errors Managed Care Zika Blood Test Errors Transvaginal Mesh Talcum Powder Lawsuits Surgical Errors Fatal Medical Errors Failure to Treat [](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2022/06/law-firm-obtains-17-1-million-medical-malpractice-verdict/) Medical Malpractice Law Firm Obtains $17.1 Million Medical Malpractice Verdict On April 6, 2022 Partner Allan M. 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