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When seeking medical care, we trust that doctors will provide competent treatment. Unfortunately, medical errors and negligence still occur far too often. Medical malpractice can take many forms, but common cases include misdiagnosis leading to improper treatment, surgical mistakes that harm the patient, medication errors such as improper prescribing or dosage, childbirth injuries to the mother or infant, a lack of informed consent regarding the risks of procedures, and inattention that allows hospital-acquired infections or bedsores to develop. The outcomes of medical malpractice can range from minor injury to permanent disability or even death. If you believe you or a loved one experienced substandard care, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney. You may be entitled to significant compensation for economic damages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Understanding the primary types of medical malpractice can help patients advocate for safer healthcare and seek accountability when harmed.
Table of Contents
1. Surgical Errors
With over 50 million surgeries in the U.S. every year, some complications are expected. However, serious mistakes point to negligence rather than standard risks. Operating on the wrong body part or doing the incorrect procedure immediately indicates substandard care. Leaving surgical equipment inside patients happens thousands of times a year, causing internal damage and infection. Botched operations, organ damage, bleeding, and post-op complications also lead to poor outcomes when proper protocols aren’t followed.
If you are a victim of a surgical error, it’s important to consult with professionals, such as medical malpractice lawyers at Emroch & Kilduff, to understand how they approach medical malpractice cases and their expertise in handling surgical error cases. They may have additional resources or services tailored to the unique aspects of surgical malpractice claims.
2. Birth Injuries
Catastrophic birth injuries typically result in the largest malpractice verdicts. Though not all infant injuries stem from negligence, many result from poor doctor decisions during prenatal care and delivery. Improper use of vacuums or forceps and failure to perform timely C-sections when warranted cause many injuries. Lack of adequate fetal monitoring and doctors not responding promptly to signs of fetal distress also lead to brain damage and cerebral palsy diagnoses.
3. Failure to Diagnose
Delayed or missed diagnoses underlie a large portion of all malpractice claims. Spotting illnesses like TBI in their early, treatable stages is vital to patient survival. Negligence occurs when diagnostic lapses and errors rob patients of the chance for prompt treatment. Failing to order proper tests and interpret results accurately constitutes a breach of care, as does failing to notify patients promptly of abnormal findings. By the time patients get the right diagnosis, the prognosis is often bleak.
4. Medication Errors
With over 3 billion prescriptions filled annually in the U.S., some medication mishaps are inevitable. However, inexcusable errors like giving patients the wrong drug or dosage still occur frequently. Illegible handwriting, inadequate patient monitoring, and look-alike labeling cause many mistakes. Failing to account for risk factors like age, weight, allergies, and health conditions shows negligent prescribing practices.
5. Anesthesia Errors
Though rare, anesthesia mishaps can swiftly turn catastrophic or fatal since patients under sedation or anesthesia are completely dependent. Dosing errors, like giving too much or too little anesthesia, lead to neurological damage or cardiopulmonary collapse. Failing to monitor vitals adequately or anticipate potential complications also breaches standards of care. Patients expect anesthesia providers’ undivided vigilance, so negligence has grave repercussions.
Bottom Line
These types of medical malpractice often produce the most catastrophic harm and highest-value claims when healthcare providers violate standards. However, patients can suffer serious consequences from lapses in treatment, policy violations, confidentiality breaches, etc. No amount of money can undo some damages, but awards do offer the resources patients need for ongoing care and the compensation they deserve.
