As patients, we rely on medical professionals to take care of our needs. Unfortunately, however, they can fail us. When those errors lead to an injury, this is called “medical malpractice.”
Medical malpractice can take various forms. In this article, we will delve into some of the more common types.
1. Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
Understanding Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare provider fails to correctly diagnose a condition or disease.
A misdiagnosis can have devastating consequences on your health. You could receive unnecessary treatments that waste time, cause financial strain, and harm your body.
Doctors provide incorrect diagnoses for various reasons, including:
- Misinterpreting test results
- Inadequate medical history
- Lack of necessary diagnostic tests
Understanding Delayed Diagnosis
Delayed diagnosis, on the other hand, is when a healthcare provider fails to diagnose a condition in a timely manner.
This delay can lead to a disease progressing to a more severe stage. At that point, a treatment’s effectiveness is reduced, making it harder for a patient to get better.
For instance, imagine a doctor failing to notice early signs of cancer. The disease continues to spread without any treatment. Once correctly identified, the cancer could be more aggressive, making it harder to beat.
2. Medication Errors
These errors can occur at any stage of the medication process.
- A doctor could prescribe the wrong medicine.
- The pharmacy could dispense the wrong medication.
- If the medication requires professional administration, such as in IV medicines, there could be errors in that administration, or the medical staff may fail to properly monitor you.
Common types of medication errors include:
- Incorrect dosage
- Wrong medication
- Administering medication to the wrong patient
Impact of Medication Errors on Patient Health
The impact of medication errors on patient health can be severe, leading to adverse drug reactions, hospitalization, or even death. These errors can also lead to increased healthcare costs due to extended hospital stays or additional treatments. Furthermore, your original condition could worsen because you have not been taking the right medication to combat it.
3. Surgical Errors
Surgical errors are less common than other forms of medical malpractice, but when they happen, the results can be devastating.
Such errors include:
- Performing the wrong procedure
- Operating on the wrong body part
- Leaving surgical instruments inside the patient's body
Surgical errors can lead to serious complications, including infection, injury, or even death.
4. Anesthesia Errors
Understanding Anesthesia Errors
These errors happen when an anesthesiologist administers too much or too little anesthesia, fails to monitor the patient's vital signs, or fails to inform the patient of necessary preoperative instructions.
The harm of an anesthesia error can be severe, including:
- Death
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Brain damage
5. Childbirth Injuries
Medical malpractice can even affect newborns, causing lifelong consequences for both the mother and the child.
Some of the most common forms of childbirth medical malpractice include:
- Failure to diagnose and treat complications
- Failure to monitor the mother and the baby's health
- Improper administration of medications or anesthesia
- Improper use of instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors
The effects of childbirth malpractice can include the following:
- Erb's palsy
- Cerebral palsy
- Emotional trauma
- Cognitive impairment
- Maternal hemorrhage
Legal Solutions for Medical Malpractice
If you’ve been the victim of malpractice, you have many legal options before you. Solutions may include filing a lawsuit against the healthcare provider, facility, or healthcare professional. You may also be able to negotiate a settlement with an insurance company, or you could pursue alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation or arbitration.
Whatever path you choose, make sure to work with an experienced attorney. They can help protect your rights and work to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve. With the right legal solutions in place, you can hold medical professionals accountable for their actions and help prevent future malpractice incidents.
Compensation You Could Receive in a Medical Malpractice Claim
Generally, a personal injury claim is designed to pay you back what you’ve lost.
A successful medical malpractice claim could cover:
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished earning capacity
- Medical expenses, both past and future
- Even punitive damages in extreme cases
If you’ve suffered due to negligent healthcare, reach out to Belushin Law Firm, P.C.. We can help you seek the financial justice you deserve. To set up a free consultation, contact us online or call us at (888) 918-9890.