Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Vaccine Injuries
Hospital errors are one of the most overlooked dangers in modern healthcare. While most patients trust their medical teams to provide safe and effective treatment, mistakes occur far more often than many realize. When a hospital error causes injury or death, the impact on a patient’s life can be permanent.
In Oklahoma and across the country, preventable medical mistakes are a significant source of patient harm. Understanding how these errors occur and what legal rights you may have is essential if you or a loved one is affected.
Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to a 2016 study by Johns Hopkins Medicine.
In Texas, a woman underwent heart surgery in 2007. Years later, in 2014, she learned that an 8-inch catheter had been left inside her aorta. Over that time, she had 22 chest X-rays, but no one noticed or disclosed the retained surgical item. By the time it was discovered, the catheter had moved and calcified, making removal too risky. The object now poses a daily threat to her health, affecting her breathing, mobility, and quality of life.
A retained surgical item, like a sponge or catheter left in a patient’s body, is classified as a ‘never event’—an error that should never occur.
This type of mistake is not just harmful—it’s preventable.
Medical errors are shockingly common. According to leading studies:
Between 210,000 and 440,000 patients die annually in the U.S. from preventable hospital mistakes, according to the Journal of Patient Safety.
These numbers suggest that many incidents go unreported or unnoticed by patients and families. The actual impact of hospital negligence may be even greater than we realize.
Hospital errors can happen in many ways and often have serious consequences:
Mislabeling charts or test results can lead to a patient receiving someone else’s treatment—or missing their diagnosis entirely.
Type of Error | Example | Potential Consequences |
| Surgical Mistake | Retained catheter or wrong-site surgery | Infection, internal damage, chronic pain |
| Medication Error | Wrong dosage or wrong drug | Organ failure, overdose, allergic reaction |
| Misdiagnosis/Delayed Dx | Failure to identify stroke or cancer | Worsened prognosis, preventable complications |
| Inadequate Sterilization | Unclean surgical tools | Post-surgical infections |
| Falls in Hospital | Patient not supervised properly | Broken bones, brain injury |
| Communication Failures | Incorrect patient chart shared | Wrong treatment or procedure |
In Oklahoma, hospital errors that cause injury may give rise to a medical malpractice claim. These cases are complex, and not every unfavorable outcome constitutes negligence. To bring a claim, you must show that the hospital or staff violated the standard of care and that the mistake directly caused harm.
In Oklahoma, patients generally have two years from the date of injury—or the date the injury was discovered—to file a medical malpractice claim. (76 Okla. Stat. § 18)
Oklahoma also follows a comparative negligence rule. If the injured person is found partially responsible for the harm (for example, not following medical advice), their compensation may be reduced.
In most cases, expert medical testimony is necessary to demonstrate a departure from the established standard of care.
The effects of a hospital error often go far beyond the initial injury. Many patients face lifelong consequences—physical, emotional, and financial —resulting from their condition.
Some may need revision surgeries or additional treatments. Others may live with chronic pain, reduced mobility, or permanent disability. Families often shoulder the cost of care, time away from work, or even the loss of a loved one.
Hospital negligence doesn’t just disrupt a person’s life—it can take away their sense of trust in the healthcare system.
If you believe that a hospital mistake caused harm, here are a few essential steps to take:
Medical malpractice cases necessitate a thorough understanding of medical procedures, expert opinions, and effective legal strategies. Having an experienced advocate can help you understand if you have a case and what your options are.
Graves McLain Injury Lawyers has experience helping Oklahoma families navigate complex medical malpractice cases. Our team understands the challenges patients face after a hospital error, from understanding their rights to pursuing compensation.
We approach every case with care and attention to detail. Whether the injury resulted from surgical mistakes, delayed diagnoses, or communication failures, we conduct thorough investigations and consult expert medical professionals to build strong claims.
You typically have two years from the date of the injury—or from when it was discovered—to file a claim. This is known as the statute of limitations.
Yes. Retained surgical items like sponges or catheters are considered “never events” and may form the basis of a strong malpractice claim.
Yes. Oklahoma law typically requires expert witnesses to Prove that the healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care.
Get copies of your medical records, seek a second opinion, and speak with a qualified Tulsa medical malpractice lawyer for guidance.
Many medical malpractice claims are resolved through settlements; however, some do proceed to trial. Your attorney can guide you based on the details of your case.
Hospital mistakes can change a person’s life in an instant. Whether it’s a misdiagnosis, a surgical error, or a failure to monitor a patient correctly, the results can be devastating. These errors are not just numbers—they represent real lives interrupted by pain, uncertainty, and loss.
Understanding your rights and taking action is the first step toward healing and holding yourself accountable. Graves McLain Injury Lawyers helps injured patients and their families explore their legal options with compassion and clarity.
If you or someone you love has suffered because of a preventable hospital mistake, don’t wait to find out if you have a case. Help is available—and it starts with understanding your rights.
Please make an appointment for a free consultation with Graves McLain Injury Lawyers right now to find out how they can support your future.
