When we go into a hospital or doctor’s office, we expect to be taken care of and come out feeling better. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Even the most skilled medical professionals can make mistakes. Medical errors can lead to severe injuries and even death. Let’s take a closer look at some common medical malpractice claims:
Medication Errors
Medications can treat a wide array of health conditions and help patients function better in their daily lives. However, if these medicines are administered incorrectly, they can cause major issues. For example, if a doctor fails to review a patient’s medical history, he or she could prescribe a drug that negatively interacts with another medication the patient is already taking. A doctor could also give a patient the incorrect dosage, which can lead to a dangerous situation.
Misdiagnosis
Doctors diagnose patients with the incorrect health condition more often than you may think. Some diseases are difficult to diagnose or share symptoms with other health conditions. If a doctor diagnoses a patient with the wrong condition, the actual disease may continue to progress.
Surgical Errors
Mistakes can also happen during surgeries. These mistakes may include leaving a surgical instrument inside the body or operating on the incorrect body part. Surgical errors are usually caused by miscommunication between surgeons and other medical staff members. These mistakes are also more likely to occur if a surgeon doesn’t have enough experience performing a particular surgery or is fatigued.
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia errors are considered one of the most dangerous types of medical mistakes. An anesthesiologist could administer too little or too much anesthesia or prescribe anesthesia that the patient is allergic to. He or she could also fail to tell the patient about necessary preoperative procedures or use defective equipment. These types of errors can result in permanent injuries or death.
Birth Injuries
Babies can suffer a number of different injuries during the birth process if the doctor is negligent, such as fractured bones, brain injuries and paralysis. Careless treatment during pregnancy can also lead to birth injuries. For example, a doctor could fail to identify a birth defect or diagnose a disease that could be contagious to the fetus.
If you or one of your loved ones is the victim of medical malpractice, you should contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney recommends as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation. A lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the doctor or hospital and obtain the money you deserve. He or she can communicate with insurance companies on your behalf and ensure your rights are protected.
During your initial consultation, your lawyer will want to find out more information about your case, like how the medical error occurred and what types of injuries you suffered. If you have any documents relating to your case, like medical records, remember to bring them with you. If you have any questions at the end of the consultation, do not be afraid to voice them.