The fact that you bumped into this article means you probably already know that medical errors can be a cause of death. And the following medical malpractice claims are the most common. Some even occur more frequently than you most likely heard about.
So what are these claims?
What Medical Malpractice Claims Are the Most Common?
The following most common types of medical malpractice claims are in no particular order.
Delayed or Misdiagnoses
A late diagnosis will lead to the patient not receiving the right treatment at the right time. Or in a worst-case scenario, a wrong diagnosis will result in incorrect treatment. This is, in fact, one of the most common medical malpractice claims. It comprises around one-third of all filed cases of a medical misdeed from 2013 up to 2017.
This type of medical negligence usually happens when a physician fails to identify the signs and symptoms of an illness. It can also happen when the physician is unable to refer the patient to the right specialist. Not being able to seek more information will also lead to misdiagnoses. While failing to order the necessary medical testing is another reason.
Mistakes during data evaluation or when conducting the tests are also contributing factors to this medical error. Test and lab results that are mislabeled, or worse, test results that are lost will lead to the same outcome.
Aside from having the right diagnosis, getting it sooner can save or at least extend the life of a person. Any error during this process will result in medical malpractice. The medical professional involved should then be held accountable. So if you need legal advice regarding this matter, you may contact Limbocker Law Firm.
Mistakes in the Prescribed Drugs
Prescribing the right drugs is very important in the medical field. Any mistake done will result in malpractice in the said profession. It may lead to an allergic reaction, or worse, to losing a life.
Examples of errors in prescribing medications that may lead to medical malpractice claims include giving the wrong dosage. Even if the dosage is below the required amount and may not cause overdose, it is still considered a miscalculation. Another is prescribing the wrong drug to a patient with a diagnosed condition.
Not being able to identify potential side effects of the prescribed medicines also counts. Next are the signs of abuse that will only put the health of a patient more at risk that are left unrecognized.
This kind of medical error calls for a personal injury lawyer to keep someone responsible for such carelessness.
Surgical Errors
The main duty of a medical professional, whether inside the operating room or not, is to save a patient’s life and not to put someone at risk instead. But committing surgical errors is something that is not impossible to happen. Examples are carrying out an operation on a wrong patient or in an incorrect body part. Leaving medical tools inside the person’s body is also counted as a procedural mistake.
Healthcare professionals are supposed to communicate with one another regarding a patient’s vital information during operation. Failure to do so will possibly lead to a mistake and be considered medical malpractice. Both doctors and nurses need to follow all the necessary procedures before, during, and even after a medical operation. Because even an unforeseen reaction to anesthesia inside the surgery room might cause a bigger problem.
Unable to Treat a Patient
Negligence is the number one reason for medical malpractice claims. And the inability to treat a patient is a violation of what a healthcare professional is supposed to practice.
Not putting the medical history of a patient into consideration when prescribing a drug is just an example of malpractice. And even as simple as not providing the necessary instruction to do a follow-up check-up will count. In the same manner, failing to order a patient to undergo the needed medical examinations can be filed under malpractice. Another is when a patient is released from the hospital too early.
One of the reasons why doctors fail to treat a patient is accepting more patients than they can actually handle. And the best way to avoid this mistake is to refer patients to other healthcare professionals.
Medical Malpractice Claims: Who to Call for Help?
Doing your part when someone did you wrong will help you attain justice. Getting injured just because someone failed to perform his duties properly is such a misfortune. And what to do in situations like this? File a claim.
Brian Limbocker of Limbocker Law Firm suggests not to wait too long before filing a claim. Because the longer you wait, the less evidence will be available once your lawyer starts looking for it.
So get the most out of your medical malpractice claims and send us a message for a free consultation. Act fast!
