What to Watch For After Surgery: Infections and Complications

When you undergo surgery, you place your trust in the hands of trained professionals, not just during the procedure, but throughout your recovery. Unfortunately, that trust is sometimes broken. What should have been a routine healing process can spiral into a serious medical crisis when post-operative care falls short.

Most post-surgical infections and complications are preventable. With proper hygiene, attentive monitoring, and prompt response to warning signs, these setbacks can often be avoided. If you or a loved one suffered complications after surgery and suspect negligence played a role, you may be entitled to compensation.

How Post-Surgical Infections Happen

Not all infections are caused during the operation itself. Many develop afterward, while you’re recovering in the hospital or even after you’ve gone home. That’s why a medical team’s responsibility doesn’t end when the final stitch is placed. They’re expected to monitor your condition, maintain a sterile environment, and take immediate action at the first sign of infection.

While we may never get a direct admission from providers or evidence in medical records about lapses like unwashed hands or improper sterile procedures, negligence is often proven by failure to recognize documented changes in a patient’s labs and condition as potential signs of infection, and then a failure to treat these signs in a timely manner properly.

Common mistakes that lead to post-surgical infections may include:

• Failure to recognize warning signs in lab results or a patient’s condition.
• Delays in administering antibiotics or other treatments.
• Failure to monitor recovery progress closely, especially after a high-risk surgery.
• Inconsistent post-operative care, including failure to properly clean or dress wounds.

Common Types of Post-Surgical Complications

Infections aren’t the only risks after surgery. A wide range of complications can occur during recovery, especially when post-operative care is rushed, understaffed, or poorly coordinated.

Some of the most common post-surgical complications include:

• Surgical site infections
• Blood clots
• Internal bleeding
• Poor wound healing
• Reopened incisions
• Reactions to anesthesia or medication
• Organ damage or failure

Any one of these issues can turn a routine recovery into a medical crisis. If not identified and treated quickly, complications like these can lead to serious setbacks, additional procedures, and long-term health consequences.

Signs of Infection or Complications

It’s not always easy to tell when post-surgical discomfort crosses the line into something more serious. That’s why your medical team is expected to monitor your recovery closely and act on early warning signs before complications become dangerous.

Some of the most common red flags include:

• Worsening or persistent pain
• Swelling around the surgical site
• Fever or chills
• Pus, redness, or foul-smelling discharge from the wound
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Sudden confusion, disorientation, or extreme fatigue

These symptoms may indicate an infection, internal bleeding, or other serious health issues. When providers fail to recognize or respond to them in a timely manner, the consequences can be life-altering.

Are These Complications Preventable?

In many cases, absolutely. Hospitals and surgical centers are required to follow strict infection control protocols, including the use of sterile equipment, proper wound cleaning, dressing changes, and adherence to basic hygiene practices. When these steps are skipped or performed incorrectly, the risk of infection or complications rises, and so does the hospital’s liability.

Negligence can also occur after discharge. If you weren’t given clear post-op instructions, weren’t told which symptoms to watch for, or your follow-up care was delayed or overlooked, that may also amount to a breach of care.

Understanding Who Can Be Held Liable

Liability in post-surgical complication cases often involves more than one person or party. It all depends on the specific circumstances surrounding your care.

A surgeon may be responsible for errors during the procedure. Nurses or recovery staff may be liable if they fail to follow hygiene protocols or properly monitor your condition. The hospital itself may also be at fault if poor training, understaffing, or disorganized systems contributed to the breakdown in care.

Even if the complication arose after discharge, the responsibility may still be traced back to the original surgical team or to ER staff who failed to respond appropriately when you returned with symptoms. These are all details a legal team will examine closely when building your case.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

When a post-surgical infection or complication is the result of negligence, the law allows you to pursue compensation for the harm you’ve endured. While every case is different, recoverable damages often include:

• Medical expenses for follow-up treatment, hospitalization, or corrective surgery
• Lost wages from time missed at work
• Pain and suffering tied to your physical recovery
• Permanent disability or reduced physical function
• Emotional distress caused by the ordeal
• Wrongful death damages, if a loved one passed away due to post-op complications

The exact value of your case depends on the unique facts involved. That’s why it’s crucial to work with a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney. A skilled lawyer can investigate your situation, document your losses, and fight for the full compensation you may deserve.

Take the First Step Toward Justice

At Morgan & Morgan, we know just how devastating post-surgical infections and complications can be, physically, emotionally, and financially. We’ve seen how preventable medical errors can derail a person’s recovery or claim a loved one’s life far too soon. 

If you or someone you care about has suffered due to medical negligence, you don’t have to face it alone. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We may be able to help you hold the responsible parties accountable and seek the compensation you are entitled to.