Medical professionals are human, so they make mistakes like the rest of us. However, their mistakes can cause life-altering injuries or even death. When a healthcare worker or doctor has harmed you, you might file a medical malpractice claim. This article will explore some of the most common medical errors that might lead to such a big step.
The right medicine can save lives or at least provide a better level of comfort. The wrong medicine can kill. Sometimes a doctor or pharmacist makes one of the following common medical errors:
Any of these mistakes could lead to medical malpractice claims filed by patients or their family members.
Doctors examine patients and often order tests to learn more about their condition. Occasionally, they may overlook important findings or misinterpret them. This inattention can lead to:
In either case, the medical professional might have breached their duty of care to their patient. This type of mistake can give rise to medical malpractice claims.
Many procedures and treatments are complicated and require a high level of skill. Sometimes years of training and experience don’t stop common medical errors from occurring.
For example, doctors might perform the wrong surgery for a patient, nick an artery, or fail to follow some important protocol. Also, mistakes can occur during treatment. Doctors and staff might face a problem they don’t know how to handle or might just fail to follow standard protocols. Either way, patients suffer.
Finally, medical professionals use some form of anesthesia during surgery and certain procedures like endoscopies. Common medical errors during anesthesia include failing to properly monitor patients during procedures. Patients may be entitled to compensation for these types of common medical errors.
Mothers and infants sustain injuries during birth. Such injuries are particularly poignant and life-changing. Sometimes, new moms find themselves with severe physical injuries or with emotional injuries, or both.
For babies, treatment for birth trauma can start when they are just a few days old and continue throughout their lives.
Medical malpractice claims for birth trauma are difficult but sometimes necessary.
Wound care is critical to a patient’s well-being. When medical staff are sloppy or ignore safety protocols, patients may become seriously ill. Some treatments and surgical procedures are especially prone to serious infections. But when staff members fail to make wound protection a priority can find themselves on the wrong end of a medical malpractice claim.
Finally, doctors and other medical professionals are required to give patients a complete picture of upcoming or potential medical procedures. In some cases, patients would refuse a treatment with a low rate of success or overly unpleasant side effects. But they lose the right to do so when medical staff fails to get their informed consent.
Medical malpractice claims are complicated. Often, many parties are involved in the chain of treatment. Powell Law features James F. Mundy, Esq., as an attorney who has successfully litigated medical malpractice cases for several decades. Since 1906, our practice has evolved litigating personal injury claims, including medical malpractice cases, and building a body of knowledge and expertise that unquestionably provides our clients with an incomparable advantage. Powell Law has an established 115-year-old reputation throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. Contact Powell Law at call (570) 961-0777. The consultation is FREE.
