January 17, 2023 | Medical Malpractice

When we are ill or injured we seek medical treatment from healthcare professionals. We expect these healthcare professionals to take good care of us. In most instances, healthcare professionals provide their patients with the care expected of them. However, there are times when these professionals make mistakes and this results in the patient being injured , their condition becoming worse or developing complications.

While every medical procedure has its risks, there are times when injuries and complications patients develop are as a result of the negligence of the healthcare professionals that are taking care of the patient. When this happens, the patient can sue the healthcare professional or the healthcare institution for compensation.

Medical malpractice cases are becoming more common. One study indicates that medical malpractice may be responsible for approximately 251,000 deaths every year in the US alone. Medical malpractice lawsuits are becoming a huge and ongoing issue. If you have been the victim of negligence of a healthcare professional or institution, contact our law firm to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney and begin the process of seeking financial compensation and justice.

Most Common Types of Medical Malpractice Cases

There are various types of medical malpractice lawsuits filed every year. The most common types of cases include:

1. Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis is a common medical error. It occurs when a doctor fails to properly identify the condition or issues that the patient is being affected by. The patient is therefore not provided with the right treatment. They may be given incorrect prescriptions or not be treated at all. This allows the condition to continue to progress. If not diagnosed properly, the patient may develop complications or their condition may progress to a stage that cannot be easily treated.

A misdiagnosis can be a death sentence especially when dealing with a life threatening condition. If the treatment window is missed, the condition will become untreatable or the damage irreversible. For some this may result in death.

A doctor can be sued for medical malpractice if they missed or ignored something that most doctors at the same level of training and experience would not.

2. Surgical errors

Surgeries come with many risks. However, there are times when doctors and other healthcare professionals involved in the surgical procedure make errors that result in injuries to the patient. These include:

• Giving an unnecessary surgery
• Performing the wrong procedure
• Causing damage to organs, tissues or nerves
• Using contaminated surgical instruments
• Performing surgery on the wrong part
• Providing inadequate aftercare

3. Birth injuries

Birth injuries can occur during pregnancy or during the birth of the child. While some complications are avoidable, some are the result of medical negligence. Mothers and their unborn children or newborns require the highest level of care. Medical negligence can result in complications such as spinal cord injuries, fetal distress, postpartum hemorrhage, cerebral palsy and many more. Injuries to the child can have lifelong consequences.

4. Anesthesia errors

Anesthesia is administered during surgical procedures to keep the patient from experiencing pain. It keeps the patient calm and allows the doctor to work effectively and efficiently. Anesthesiologists are specially trained to administer anesthesia safely. Errors in the administration of anesthesia can have serious consequences. For example, administering too much anesthesia can result in complications or even death. If the anesthesiologist fails to pay attention to the patient’s medical history they may administer the wrong anesthesia or too much of it.

Anesthesia errors can occur prior to operations, during the surgical procedure, during a dental procedure and even in outpatient procedures.

5. Prescription errors

Prescriptions provide patients with guidance on what drugs to take, when and in what amount. Prescription errors often occur alongside misdiagnoses. The wrong drug may be prescribed because the doctor misdiagnosed the patient or failed to diagnose the patient’s condition. Other prescription errors may also include failure to consider drug interactions, failure to consider the patient’s medical history or prescribing the wrong amount.

Prescription errors can have adverse and long term effects on the patient. They can result in the development of complications or the progressing of the patient’s condition to a point where the damage is irreversible or that they can no longer be treated.

6. Failure to treat or prevent infections

Healthcare facilities are required to have a high standard of hygiene. Preventing infections is vital in this environment. Instruments and equipment used should be thoroughly sterilized. Healthcare professionals are also required to take precautions to prevent infection as well as to treat any possible infections. Failure to do so can result in life threatening conditions.

Seek the Services of an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney

If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, get in touch with our law firm. Schedule free consultation with an experienced medical malpractice attorney from our law firm and start working on recovering the financial compensation you deserve.

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