There are 80,000 to 100,000 Americans who die each year because of misdiagnosis. This is alarming since medical professionals aim to ensure their patients’ safety.
Even when healthcare practitioners do everything in their power to make sure their patients are healthy, sometimes medical errors occur that lead to serious complications or fatalities. The good news for patients who have fallen victim to such negligence is that medical malpractice lawsuits exist.
Read on to learn about common types of medical malpractice and your rights when it comes to holding medical practitioners liable.
Delayed Diagnosis
This is when a medical professional fails to diagnose a medical condition within a reasonable timeframe. This can result in a worsened condition, the development of complications, and even death. Delayed diagnoses can also lead to misdiagnosis, as the incorrect diagnosis may be made based on the limited information available.
If a patient has been a victim of a delayed diagnosis, it is important to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer. They can help you determine what damages you may be entitled to which include pain and suffering damages, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Medication Errors
This type of medical malpractice occurs when a doctor prescribes the wrong medication. This also includes the wrong dosage that is not appropriate for their condition.
This can happen due to poor communication between healthcare providers, illegible handwriting, and confusing drug names. These errors can have serious, even fatal, consequences for the patient.
Surgery Errors
There are different types of surgery errors that can occur during a medical procedure. This can include leaving a foreign object behind after surgery, operating on the wrong body part, or performing surgery on the wrong patient. These errors can occur due to a variety of factors, including communication breakdowns, fatigue, and human error.
Birth Injuries
This is when healthcare professionals fail to provide adequate care during the birthing process. Birth injuries cause damage to the child or the mother.
It can also be caused by infection, either in the mother or the baby. In some cases, birth injuries are the result of negligence on the part of the doctor.
Improper Discharge
This happens when a hospital either fails to discharge a patient or sends a patient home too early. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including staffing shortages, budget cuts, or simply negligence.
If a patient dies as a result of improper discharge, the hospital can be held liable for wrongful death. You may seek legal help to understand how to sue a doctor in cases like these.
The Dangers of the Different Types of Medical Malpractice
There are many different types of medical malpractice. This includes failure to diagnose, surgical errors, birth injuries, and medication errors.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, it is important to contact an experienced attorney. They can help you get the compensation you deserve.
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