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Medical malpractice can happen when your healthcare provider causes harm to you by failing to provide proper care. These mistakes could lead to severe injuries or even death. Victims of medical malpractice frequently face physical, emotional, and financial hardships.
Conboy Law Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyers are here to help you seek justice. We fully understand the complexities of medical malpractice cases and fight for victims’ rights. Whether it’s a surgical error, misdiagnosis, or medication mistake, our team works hard to hold negligent medical professionals accountable.
Delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis are among the most common types of medical malpractice. They happen when a doctor fails to identify a patient’s medical condition accurately or in time.
Misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor identifies the wrong condition. This could lead to unnecessary or harmful treatment. For example, prescribing the wrong drug for a condition the patient does not have can cause serious harm.
It often happens when a healthcare provider ignores a patient’s medical history or symptoms. Misdiagnosis can delay proper medical care, putting the patient at risk of severe complications.
Delayed diagnosis happens when a doctor fails to recognize a condition in time. This delay can worsen the patient’s health, making the condition harder to treat. For example, missing early signs of cancer can lead to serious consequences. Patients deserve timely and accurate diagnoses to avoid further harm caused by delays in treatment.
Surgical errors are serious mistakes that happen during medical procedures. These errors can lead to severe injuries, infections, or even death. They are often caused by negligence, miscommunication, or a lack of preparation by healthcare providers. Victims of surgical errors may face long-term health problems and additional medical expenses.
Some of the most common types of surgical errors and how they can affect patients include:
Wrong-site surgery occurs when a doctor operates on the wrong body part. For instance, a surgeon may operate on the left knee instead of the right. This mistake often happens due to miscommunication or incorrect documentation. It can cause unnecessary pain and delay the treatment of the actual medical issue.
Patients may require another surgery to fix the mistake, increasing their risk of complications. Hospitals and surgical teams must follow strict protocols, such as marking the surgical site, to avoid these errors.
This error happens when surgical tools, such as sponges or clamps, are left inside a patient’s body after an operation. Retained instruments can lead to infections, internal injuries, or severe pain. Patients may need additional surgeries to remove the objects, resulting in more medical expenses and recovery time.
Proper counting and tracking of instruments before and after surgery are crucial to prevent this mistake. Hospitals have a responsibility to ensure that all surgical tools are accounted for to protect patient safety.
Anesthesia errors happen when a patient receives too little or too much anesthesia during a procedure. These mistakes can result in severe harm, including brain damage, heart problems, or even death. Errors frequently happen when healthcare providers fail to monitor a patient’s vital signs or use the wrong dosage.
In some cases, patients may wake up during surgery, experiencing extreme pain and trauma. Anesthesiologists must be careful when administering medication and remain attentive throughout the procedure to avoid such risks.
Medication errors are preventable mistakes involving prescription drugs. These errors may happen at any stage, from prescribing the medication to administering it. They often lead to serious harm or complications for patients. Common causes include miscommunication, incorrect dosages, or failure to check a patient’s medical history.
A few of the different types of medication errors and their impact on patients include:
An incorrect prescription occurs when a doctor prescribes the wrong medication or dosage. For example, patients may receive a drug they are allergic to or one that worsens their condition. This error can happen if the doctor does not review the patient’s medical history or misdiagnoses their condition.
Incorrect prescriptions may lead to serious health problems or life-threatening reactions. Healthcare providers must carefully evaluate each patient’s needs and ensure prescriptions are accurate. Patients should also double-check prescriptions and discuss concerns with their doctor or pharmacist.
Administration mistakes happen when a medication is given incorrectly. For instance, a nurse may inject the wrong dosage or administer the drug at the wrong time. These errors may result in severe side effects, delayed recovery, or even death.
In some cases, the medication may be given to the wrong patient, causing additional harm. Hospitals and healthcare providers must follow strict protocols to ensure that medications are delivered accurately and safely. Proper training and attention to detail could help prevent these mistakes.
Failure to recognize drug interactions occurs when healthcare providers do not consider how multiple medications might react with each other. Some drug combinations can cause harmful side effects, reduce effectiveness, or even lead to life-threatening conditions. This error is more likely when a patient sees multiple doctors who do not communicate effectively.
Doctors and pharmacists must carefully review all prescribed medications and educate patients about potential interactions. Patients must also inform their healthcare providers of all the medications they are taking to avoid dangerous combinations.
Birth injuries happen when a baby or mother is harmed during labor or delivery. These injuries may lead to long-term health problems. They often occur due to mistakes by healthcare providers or complications during childbirth. Proper medical care is essential to prevent these injuries.
Doctors might use tools like forceps or vacuum extractors to help deliver a baby. If these tools are used incorrectly, they can harm the baby or the mother. For example, improper use can cause bruises, cuts, or even more serious injuries like nerve damage or broken bones.
Medical staff must be well-trained and careful when using these tools. Parents should ask questions and ensure their doctor explains why these instruments are needed to avoid unnecessary risks.
Fetal distress occurs when a baby is not getting enough oxygen during labor. This can cause brain damage or other serious health issues. Doctors and nurses must carefully watch the baby’s heart rate and other signs during delivery.
If they fail to notice or act on signs of distress, it can lead to permanent harm. Healthcare providers must act quickly to keep the baby safe. Parents should know their rights and seek help if they suspect medical negligence.
Medical malpractice claims are legal actions taken when a healthcare provider’s mistake causes harm. This could involve medical errors like a misdiagnosis, surgical errors, or prescribing the wrong medication. Victims can seek compensation for their injuries, hospital expenses, and emotional suffering.
Yes, medical errors during birth, such as improper use of delivery instruments or failure to monitor fetal distress, can lead to cerebral palsy. This condition affects muscle control and movement. If negligence caused the injury, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
If you think you received incorrect treatment, seek a second opinion from another doctor. Collect all your medical records and speak with a lawyer experienced in medical malpractice claims. They can guide you on the next steps.
Medical malpractice can lead to severe consequences, including prolonged recovery, worsening conditions, or the need for additional medical treatment. It’s important to report suspected negligence to protect yourself and others.
You can file a medical malpractice claim if your child’s cerebral palsy resulted from negligence during pregnancy or delivery. A lawyer can help you prove that the medical provider’s actions directly caused the condition.
If you or a loved one has been harmed due to medical malpractice, don’t face it alone. Conboy Law Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyers have the experience to help you seek justice. From misdiagnosis to surgical errors, we handle all medical malpractice cases.
We work hard to ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve. This includes covering medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you get the justice and financial compensation you deserve.
Joseph M. Conboy, founder of Conboy Law, represents victims of catastrophic injuries and wrongful death, securing numerous multi-million-dollar results. Recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2019–2022), he is a member of the American Association for Justice and Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Conboy earned his J.D. from DePaul University and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Colorado.
If you or a loved one has been injured, don’t hesitate to contact our injury attorneys today!
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