The Most Common Acts of Medical Negligence

No person goes to a healthcare professional expecting to be harmed. We have trust in our doctors and nurses to provide us with the care we need. Unfortunately, medical mistakes do happen and when they result in harm the only path to justice is through a civil lawsuit.

In this article, we will discuss the top examples of medical negligence. From prescription and medication errors to misdiagnosis and surgical complications, we will explore the ways in which patients can be harmed as a result of Medical Negligence. 

No one deserves to be a victim of medical negligence.
If you or a loved one has been harmed as a result of Medical Negligence you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys of Avera & Smith are experienced lawyers that specialize in medical negligence and have the proven skills to help you understand the complex process. By taking action now, you give yourself the best chance of success with your lawsuit.

Examples of Medical Negligence:
Prescription and Medication Errors

Our first example has to do with prescription medication. When a doctor prescribes the wrong medication for a patient or a pharmacist dispenses the wrong medication, tragedy can result. Victims of this type of medical negligence are entitled to just compensation for their damages. Documenting each phase of the error is important; your attorney will use this as the basis for the lawsuit.

Prescription medication errors can result in an array of medical conditions that can have lasting consequences for patients. In some cases, permanent organ or neurological damage is the result. Others may face more life-threatening conditions or even death.  Anaphylactic shock is one of the more common of these life-threatening conditions.

Steps should be taken to prevent prescription and medication errors from happening. Doing things like double-checking prescriptions is standard for most doctors and pharmacists; it’s best practice to always review your prescription and description of the medication with your pharmacist ahead of consumption. Researching the potential side effects of a specific medication and providing such information to the patient is a critical part of a doctor and pharmacist’s  duty of care. 

Modern medical practices and pharmacies use computer technology to realize potentially dangerous drug combinations. While these systems do work to save lives, they are not immune to failure, which can result in a potentially life-threatening scenario.

Other medical personnel such as nurses should always check the patient’s chart before administering any medication. Your lawyer will discuss all of the parties that may be held accountable and financially responsible in your case. 

Despite taking precautions, prescription and medication errors still occur. If you or a loved one has been harmed by this form of medical negligence, do not delay any further. Contacting an experienced medical negligence lawyer from Avera & Smith is the next step in fighting for the justice you deserve.

Failure To Diagnose,  Misdiagnosis, Or Delayed Diagnosis

Misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, and delayed diagnosis are all forms of medical negligence. Misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor incorrectly diagnoses a patient with a condition.

Delayed diagnosis occurs when there is a delay in diagnosing a patient’s condition. The ability to take quick action on something like a cancer diagnosis greatly increases a patient’s chances of a successful recovery. In extreme circumstances an accurate and timely diagnosis could mean the difference between life and death.

 Both of these can have serious consequences for patients. 

These are some of the most common forms of medical negligence. Remember, whenever a medical professional breaches their duty of care they can be held accountable in a court of law.  

Here are a number of different ways a doctor can breach a duty of care owed:

• Failure to take seriously the patient’s symptoms and provide a differential diagnosis
• Improper testing 
• Failure to interpret test results correctly
• Failure to refer a patient to the correct specialist
• Failure to diagnose a condition
• Delay in diagnosis
• Improper diagnosis

Your ability to prove that a doctor committed one of the preceding acts resulting in harm will be critical in receiving compensation. The determining factor in a medical negligence case is the plaintiff’s ability to prove a breach of the standard of care owed to a patient and resulting harm.

Prenatal and Childbirth Mistakes

Mistakes during childbirth and the visits before/after are all too common. These mistakes can have serious consequences for both the mother and the child.

Failing to properly monitor the mother and child during pregnancy is a breach of duty that may result in harm. This can lead to problems such as birth defects, premature birth, low birth weight, or even death of a child or mother.

Failing to identify and treat maternal infections during pregnancy is also common and easily avoided. This mistake can lead to serious health problems for both the mother and child. Your medical malpractice attorney will sit down with you and evaluate potentially responsible individuals, as well as the hospitals and clinics where you received care.

Failing to properly manage labor and delivery can also lead to serious complications for both the mother and child. This includes things like not properly monitoring the baby’s heart rate, not delivering the baby in a timely manner, or using excessive force when delivering the baby.

These are just a few examples of prenatal and childbirth mistakes that can occur. If you think that you or your child has been a victim of medical negligence, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. An experienced medical malpractice attorney will be able to review your case and help you determine if you have a claim.

Errors Committed During Surgery

Surgical errors include things like performing the wrong procedure, operating in the wrong area or leaving foreign objects in the body. Errors like this can be devastating and even fatal. When you or a loved one experiences a complication during surgery, it is important to seek a specialized medical negligence attorney as soon as possible.

Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) 

Maintaining a sterile hospital is imperative to providing the best patient care. HAIs can occur in any type of healthcare facility and are infections patients get while seeking treatment for another condition. HAIs are often caused by bacteria and other pathogens that are prevalent in healthcare environments. Some of these infections are easily preventable and can be the result of medical negligence. The most common types of HAIs include:

• Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI) 
• Surgical Site Infection (SSI)
• Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)
• Ventilator-associated Pneumonia (VAP)

Protecting yourself and your family from harmful infection-causing germs looks different for everyone. The CDC offers guidance on how to protect yourself (and other patients) from harmful infections while visiting or receiving care.

Acting Now Will Give You The Best Chance of a Successful Lawsuit

Waiting is not wise, especially when it comes to pursuing justice and rightful compensation. An experienced medical malpractice attorney will be able to review your case and help you determine if you have a claim. Contact Avera & Smith for a free, no-commitment consultation.