If you believe an orthopedic doctor, surgeon, or medical provider made a mistake that caused you harm, your priority should be getting the medical care you need. Seek follow-up treatment right away, especially if you are experiencing worsening pain, limited mobility, numbness, infection, or complications after surgery or treatment.

You should also begin gathering records related to your orthopedic care. This may include X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, surgical reports, treatment notes, discharge paperwork, physical therapy records, prescriptions, and bills for additional medical care.

It may also help to write down a timeline of what happened. Include when your injury or condition began, what symptoms you reported, what treatment was recommended, whether surgery was performed, and how your condition changed afterward.

Because orthopedic malpractice cases often require a detailed review of medical records, imaging, and expert opinions, speaking with an attorney can help determine whether the provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care.

Orthopedic malpractice can happen when a medical provider fails to properly diagnose, treat, or monitor an injury or condition involving the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, or spine. Common examples of orthopedic malpractice may include:

• Failure to diagnose a fracture or dislocation
• Misreading X-rays, MRIs, or other imaging results
• Improper treatment of a broken bone or joint injury
• Surgical errors during joint replacement or fracture repair
• Wrong-site surgery or wrong procedure
• Improper placement of screws, plates, rods, or implants
• Failure to recognize nerve, tendon, or ligament damage
• Failure to diagnose or treat an infection after surgery
• Premature discharge or poor post-operative monitoring
• Failure to refer a patient for necessary specialist care

Not every poor outcome is malpractice, but when preventable mistakes cause serious harm, additional treatment, or lasting complications, the patient may have legal options.

You may be able to sue for orthopedic malpractice if a doctor, surgeon, hospital, or other medical provider failed to provide appropriate care and that failure caused you harm.

To bring a claim, it must typically be shown that the provider owed you a duty of care, breached the accepted medical standard, and directly caused or worsened your injury. In orthopedic cases, this may involve proving that a missed diagnosis, improper treatment plan, surgical mistake, or failure to monitor your recovery led to additional harm.

These cases often require reviewing medical records, imaging, surgical notes, and expert medical opinions. An attorney can help investigate what happened, determine whether negligence may have occurred, and identify who may be responsible.

Orthopedic malpractice can lead to serious physical, emotional, and financial consequences, especially when it affects your ability to walk, work, move comfortably, or perform daily activities. Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses related to corrective treatment or follow-up care
• Additional surgeries or hospital stays
• Physical therapy, rehabilitation, or long-term care
• Lost wages if you were unable to work
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent mobility limitations or disability
• Scarring, disfigurement, or chronic pain
• Loss of quality of life

The value of an orthopedic malpractice case depends on the severity of the injury, whether additional treatment was needed, whether the harm is permanent, and how the injury affects your daily life.

Orthopedic malpractice cases can be complex because they often involve medical imaging, surgical records, expert testimony, and disputes over whether the provider’s actions caused the injury. Having the right law firm on your side can make an important difference.

Morgan & Morgan is America’s Largest Injury Law Firm, with more than 1,000 attorneys and over 35 years of experience handling complex medical malpractice and serious injury claims. The firm has recovered more than $30 billion for clients and has the resources to investigate orthopedic mistakes, review medical records, work with medical experts, and pursue accountability.

If you or a loved one was harmed by an orthopedic mistake, Morgan & Morgan can review your case and explain your legal options.

Morgan & Morgan works on a contingency fee basis, meaning the Fee Is Free™—you only pay if we win your case. You can start today with a free case evaluation.