Medical malpractice is when any healthcare professional does not perform their duty with the accepted standard of care. Their breach of care ultimately leads to injury or death. Thankfully, the most serious cases are rare, but thousands of people are left with life-altering injuries at the hands of medical professionals every year. Here are the most common forms of medical malpractice in America.
1. Diagnosis Errors
Misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis or delayed diagnosis are the top causes of medical malpractice lawsuits. When a doctor or other medical professional fails to correctly diagnose a patient, the patient may miss the opportunity to receive vital treatments. In the worst cases, diagnosis errors can lead to death.
2.Childbirth Injuries
Many types of fetal injuries are caused by medical malpractice. These may include Erb’s and Klumpke’s palsy, brain injuries, fractured bones and seizure disorders. Negligent prenatal care and negligence during childbirth can all lead to illness and injury to newborns.
3. Medication Errors
Medication errors affect nearly 1.5 million Americans every year. These errors can begin with the initial prescription and include the drug’s administration. The patient may receive the wrong medication, or the patient may receive the wrong dosage. There are a variety of types of medication error that can be the fault of a medical professional and not the patient.
4. Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia mistakes are typically more dangerous than any mistake made by a doctor. When an anesthesiologist makes an error, the result can be permanent injury, damage to the brain or other organs, or death. An anesthesiologist’s mistake may be administering too much or too little anesthesia or the wrong anesthetic drug.
5. Surgical Errors
A surgeon performing an operation could be negligent during the operation itself (puncturing an organ, leaving things behind in the body or operating on the wrong body part). The medical staff may be negligent or make mistakes during post-op care.
Medical malpractice can occur any time you visit the doctor for any reason. Your care and safety are in your hands. Research the doctors you choose, be aware of your symptoms and ask questions about your diagnosis and treatment options.
If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of medical error or negligence in Charleston, call our office today. A member of our team will review the details of your case at no cost to you and advise you of your options.
