Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide the expected level of care, which causes harm to a patient.
Did you know that as of 2023-2024, medical malpractice is still a big concern? Statistics show medical errors causing an estimated 250,000 to 400,000 deaths each year.
According to Wallace and Graham, these cases can be complicated and often involve legal and medical issues.
Understanding the most common types of medical malpractice cases can help patients recognize potential issues and seek appropriate legal assistance.
Here are some of the most frequent types of medical malpractice cases:
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare provider fails to accurately diagnose a medical condition. This can lead to delayed treatment, unnecessary procedures, or incorrect medications.
Symptoms can sometimes be vague or overlap with other conditions, making an accurate diagnosis challenging. There are also times when tests produce false results. These false results increase the chance of an incorrect diagnosis.
Seeking a second opinion from another qualified healthcare provider can provide clarity and peace of mind.
Surgical Errors
Surgical errors, such as wrong-site surgery or leaving foreign objects in the body, can have severe consequences for patients. These mistakes can lead to prolonged recovery times, more medical complications, and even permanent injuries.
Wrong-site surgery, where a procedure is performed on the incorrect part of the body, can result in the unnecessary removal of healthy tissue or organs. Wrong-site surgery also means that there is a failure to address the actual medical issue of the patient. Leaving foreign objects like sponges or surgical instruments inside a patient can lead to infections, pain, and the need for additional surgeries to correct the error.
According to malpractice lawsuit attorney Chad D. Engelhardt, such errors not only impact the physical health of the patient but also their emotional well-being and trust in the medical system. To prevent surgical errors, clear communication among the surgical team, proper preoperative procedures, and thorough postoperative checks are necessary.
Medication Mistakes
As a patient, you must know the potential risks associated with medication mistakes. These errors can occur at various stages, from prescribing the wrong medication to administering the incorrect dosage. Mistakes in medication can result in adverse reactions, worsening of the condition being treated, or even new health complications.
One common type of medication error is giving the patient the wrong medication. This can happen due to illegible handwriting on prescriptions, confusion between drug names, or errors in the electronic ordering system.
Another prevalent mistake is administering the wrong dosage, which can result in overdosing or underdosing, both of which can have harmful effects on the patient’s health.
To prevent medication errors, healthcare providers should double-check prescriptions, confirm patient allergies, and communicate clearly with each other. As a patient, you can also be responsible for your safety by asking questions about your medications, understanding their purpose and potential side effects, and checking the correct medication before taking it.
Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can have long-lasting impacts on both the infant and the mother. These injuries often require specialized medical attention.
These injuries can occur during labor or delivery due to various factors, such as medical negligence, improper use of delivery tools, or failure to monitor the baby’s distress signals.
One common birth injury is a brachial plexus injury. This injury affects the nerves in the baby’s shoulder. Brachial plexus injuries can lead to weakness or loss of movement in the affected arm, requiring physical therapy or even surgery to correct.
Another common birth injury is cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that can result from oxygen deprivation during birth.
Common birth injuries include brachial plexus injuries, which affect the nerves in the baby’s shoulder, and cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that can result from oxygen deprivation during birth. It can cause lifelong challenges with muscle control and coordination. In severe cases, it may necessitate ongoing medical care and support.
If you suspect that your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical malpractice, seek legal advice immediately. A skilled attorney can help you understand your rights, deal with the legal process, and pursue compensation for the damages incurred.
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia errors can have serious consequences, ranging from minor complications to life-threatening situations. These errors may include administering too much or too little anesthesia, failing to properly monitor vital signs during the procedure, using defective equipment, or not considering the patient’s medical history when determining the anesthesia dosage.
The effects of anesthesia errors can lead to issues like allergic reactions, brain damage, nerve damage, and even death in extreme cases. Patients who experience anesthesia errors may face prolonged recovery times, additional medical expenses, and emotional trauma.
To prevent anesthesia errors, medical professionals must follow established protocols, double-check equipment and dosages, and communicate effectively during the procedure.
Conclusion
Medical malpractice cases can be devastating for patients and their families. Most of these medical errors are fully preventable; that is why there is a need for medical practitioners to be meticulous in handling their patients.
Healthcare providers should take responsibility for their actions and prevent these types of errors in the future. Patients deserve quality care and peace of mind when seeking medical treatment.
