When a patient tragically loses his or her life after an unsuccessful operation, the deceased's loved ones must struggle to go on living their day-to-day lives. And, of course, if doctors had their way, they would never lose a patient's life during surgery. Unfortunately, doctors are people, and just like everyone else they make mistakes. When those mistakes happen during surgery, however, the results can be devastating.

A new play, entitled "Love Alone," explores the various emotions prevalent during a medical malpractice claim. The writer, Deborah Salem Smith of the Trinity Repertory Company, Rhode Island, used personal experience with tragedy and numerous depositions from medical malpractice lawsuits as the foundation on which the play was structured.

The play, the recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award, deals with two families' coping processes after losing a loved one during surgery, as well as doctors' reactions to facing a medical malpractice claim. The plot centers around a routine medical procedure that ends in the death of the patient, and explores how people grieve and heal after such a tragic event.

The emotional components of the story ring true for many people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. For example, during one scene the bag of valuables given to family members after a patient dies in surgery is on stage throughout the scene. The bag represents a symbol to the patient's family of the absolute moment their lives changed.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is hard to comprehend, but if you feel that there was negligence on the part of the doctor or hospital, you should contact a qualified attorney who can review your case and advise you of the best course of action.

Source: The Brown Daily Herald, "Play explores the drama of medicine," Nicole Grabel, Feb. 3, 2012