Doctors and other medical professionals have a great responsibility to their patients to give them the very best care. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. If a doctor makes a mistake that has a damaging effect on their patient’s life, that patient has a right to make a claim against them and seek compensation for their injuries.
Some medical errors sadly seem to come up time and time again. Here are some of the most common that can lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit.
1. Misdiagnosis
Doctors spend much of their training learning about the causes of illness or injury. However, if they do not successfully diagnose you or do not pick up on these causes when you come to them with a particular complaint, you could end up being misdiagnosed and put on the wrong care pathway, which could damage your health.
2. Delayed diagnosis
The same is true if a doctor cannot work out the cause of your complaint, therefore delaying the diagnosis. This means you may not get treatment in time to successfully combat the condition.
3. Prescription errors
A doctor may prescribe the wrong medication, an incorrect dosage, or give you incorrect instructions about how to administer it. It is also possible for medication errors to occur at the pharmacy where the wrong medication is given.
4. Anesthesia Errors
An anesthesiologist is responsible for making sure patients receive the right amount of anesthetic to keep them asleep during procedures. However, there are some cases where the anesthesiologist gives too little, and the patient wakes up during surgery or is conscious but unable to let the doctor know. Too much anesthetic could cause severe health problems, even death.
5. Surgical errors
Even the most experienced surgeons can make mistakes during surgery to the detriment of their patients. Errors such as leaving tools or other equipment inside the body or operating on the wrong part of the body are more extreme and unusual. However, other mistakes are more common because surgery is particularly difficult and requires intense concentration.
6. Inappropriate or lack of adequate prenatal care
Pregnant women need consistent care throughout their pregnancy to ensure that they and their developing baby are as healthy as possible. While some complications and defects are out of a doctor’s control, if a pregnant woman feels she has received improper or inadequate care, she may wish to make a claim against her doctor.
7. Injuries during childbirth
Childbirth is rarely entirely straightforward, and it is up to doctors to provide both the mother and child with the best possible care to ensure that no harm comes to either. Complications are common and experienced doctors are aware of these and prepare for them. If they do not anticipate such problems or give inappropriate or substandard care that results in damage to either the mother or child, a medical malpractice lawsuit is possible.
Making a medical malpractice claim
A person who believes they have received negligent or improper medical care may consider making a medical malpractice claim. The regulations and laws around such cases can be complicated, and it is essential for people to make sure their rights are protected and that their case is heard fairly. Hiring an experienced attorney to represent you is critical, and the attorneys at The Bagneris Firm can help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Bagneris Law Firm
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