Even with all the advancement in technology, doctors and nurses still make mistakes. They’re human, after all.
Just because you have been injured does not necessarily mean you have a medical malpractice claim. According to NOLO:
“In order to meet the legal definition of medical malpractice, the doctor or medical provider must have been negligent in some way — meaning the doctor was not reasonably skillful or competent, and that incompetence harmed the patient.”
Below are five of the most common medical malpractice errors.
Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
This is a very common issue in the medical world. Often these misdiagnosis problems mean that the patient didn’t receive the treatment they should have and the problem worsens or even results in death. Not all misdiagnoses are considered medical malpractice. It must be proven that the doctor should have reasonably been able to diagnose the condition correctly and acted negligently in upholding the patient standard of care.
Childbirth injuries
Nerve damage, brain injury, fractured bones, and a variety of other issues can take place if a labor doctor or nurse is negligent while dealing with a pregnant mother. There can be malpractice or negligence that occurs during the prenatal care or childbirth phase.
Medication & prescription errors
People age 60 and above are the most commonly affected by medication errors, however, it can happen to anyone. These errors often transpire when the doctor failed to read a patient’s medical records thoroughly and prescribed medication that negatively interacts with another drug the patient is currently taking.
Also, communication can be poor between the pharmacy and the doctor’s office, causing a decimal or number to be off in the prescription which allows the patient to receive too much or not enough medication.
Surgical errors
Medical mistakes frequently occur in the operating room. A surgeon may leave a foreign object in the patient, puncture vital organs, or even operate on or remove the wrong body part. A nurse can also be charged for not following the proper post-surgery care.
Anesthesia errors
Anesthesia mistakes can be extremely serious. Permanent injury, brain damage, or even death can result with the slightest error in the amount of anesthesia distributed.
Medical malpractice cases can be extremely complex and extremely detailed issues. To help you through this stressful situation, it’s in your best interest to speak with a knowledgeable and trustworthy medical malpractice attorney near you.