Common Errors That May Be Medical Malpractice
Medical Malpractice Errors
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to provide competent care. Medical malpractice can take many forms, but not every injury caused by a healthcare provider rises to the legal definition of medical malpractice. To prove that malpractice occurred, you must establish that a violation of standard care occurred. Then, you must show that your injury was caused by the negligence of the provider. Third, you must also demonstrate that the injury caused significant damage. Here are some of the most common medical errors that do rise to the level of malpractice.
Errors in Diagnosis
An improper diagnosis can lead to a patient not receiving the appropriate treatment. Failure to diagnose an illness is another common problem. Some doctors misdiagnose because many illnesses present the same kind of symptoms. When an error in diagnosis causes personal injuries or death, you may have a claim.
Prescription Errors
Doctors can make a mistake when writing a prescription. Pharmacists can fill the prescription incorrectly. Hospital staff may incorrectly administer a dose of medicine, giving too much or too little. Some prescription errors are dangerous drug interactions that can cause serious injuries.
Surgical Errors
Although most hospitals have many procedures to prevent errors in surgery, mistakes do happen. Surgical errors can include operating on the wrong part of the body or leaving a foreign object in the body. In some cases, operations on the wrong patient have occurred. Surgical errors also occur when adequate care after surgery isn’t provided. These errors can have a significant impact on the quality of life of a patient.
Anesthesia Errors
The anesthesia received during a procedure is vital to your comfort, but errors can have serious impacts. If the doctor administers too much anesthesia or fails to monitor the patient’s vital signs during the procedure, injuries can and do occur. Sometimes, it can also be the medical equipment at fault, in which case you may have a case against a manufacturer, as well as the healthcare provider.
Proving Medical Malpractice Occurred Isn’t Easy
Medical malpractice claims aren’t always cut and dried. It takes a lot of experience and knowledge to prove that malpractice occurred. You may need expert witnesses to review your medical history and to testify that the care you received wasn’t standard. Don’t try to take on a medical malpractice lawsuit on your own. A medical malpractice attorney, may be able to help you with your case.