Medical negligence cases arise when a patient is harmed by a medical professional when they fail to provide the right health care treatment. Fortunately, only a small number of hospitals, nurses and doctors make mistakes. But, within those small numbers certain medical errors tend to show up on the radar more often than others. Read on for more information about common mistakes hospitals and doctors make.
Delayed Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
A large percentage of medical malpractice complaints are about delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. When a doctor misdiagnoses or fails to diagnose a serious condition in time, the patient will miss treatment opportunities that may prevent serious harm or death.
The key to proving such a medical negligence case is to compare what the doctor did or did not do to how another competent doctor in the same specialty would have handled the situation. If the other doctors would not have made the same error, then the treating doctor is liable for malpractice.
Child Injuries
Medical malpractice can cause fetal injuries including fractured bones, brain injuries, klumpke’s and erb’s palsy. However, it is important you remember that these injuries can also be caused by something else other than medical malpractice.
An obstetrician’s or physician negligence can occur during childbirth or before. Prenatal care negligence occurs during pregnancy and can harm both mother and the fetus. Some examples include:
- Failure to identify birth defects
- Failure to diagnose a disease that is likely contagious to the fetus
- Failure to diagnose maternal medical conditions like Rh incompatibility, anemia or preeclampsia
Childbirth doctor negligence can cause injury to the baby and or harm to the mother. Childbirth medical errors include failure to:
- Respond to fetal distress signs
- Properly use a vacuum extractor or forceps
- Anticipate birth complications due to size of the baby or entangled umbilical cord
Anesthesia Errors
Mistakes with administering anesthesia are usually more dangerous compared to surgery mistakes. The smallest miscalculation on the anesthesiologist’s part can lead to permanent brain damage, injury and even death. Anesthesia mistakes occur when:
- The patient’s past is not investigated for possible complications
- A medical service provider does not explain to a patient the dangers of not following preoperative instructions
- Patient is given too much anesthesia
- Failure to monitor patient vital signs
- Improper patient intubation
Considering the complex nature of medical negligence, it is essential that you get representation or advice from a lawyer with experience in handling such lawsuits.
If you or a loved one has been harmed as a result of medical negligence, Dr. Gleeson Law can offer expert legal counsel. Contact us today for more information. You can also follow them on Twitter for more updates.
