"I went for surgery a few months ago. The surgeon was polite and recommended by a family friend. I had a tumor in my right kidney. The doctor said I had to have surgery to remove the whole kidney, else there would be serious complications. I went along with that.

The surgery went fine. I awoke. A few hours later I realised that I was aching on my left side. The bad kidney was supposed to be on the right side. I asked the nurse what went on. She put me onto a junior doctor who said that I had surgery to the left kidney because it was bad. Shock horror, because I know that before he surgery I was told it was the right kidney.

I requested to speak to the doctor who did the surgery. I was told that he was out of the country. Eventually they told me that there was a mistake and that the wrong kidney was removed. I don't really understand how that could be. Surely they would have seen that they were cutting out a normal kidney.

I'm in a real mess. What should I do?"

Our Guidance:
1. You need a lawyer and you need one fast.
2. You need to get lodge a complaint and request copies of all available medical records - handwritten and electronic.
3. You need to have it verified that the wrong kidney was taken out.
4. If the wrong kidney was taken out, that is seriously bad news. Whilst we empathise, it is difficult to say how that situation can be remedied, because the law can only award financial compensation.
5. If your condition is terminal you will need to write a will. This sounds ghastly but you must do these things. Your lawyer will advise you.