Healthcare practitioners are sometimes to blame for so many cases of disability, death, and medical suffering. In medical malpractice, patients are forced to face tough physical, emotional, and financial consequences caused by someone else’s mistake or negligence. Here are some common types of medical malpractice injuries you may want to familiarize with.
1. Childbirth Injuries
Pregnancy can be exciting, and nothing beats the moment when a mother holds her newborn baby in her arms. However, there are instances when things do not turn out as expected. Birth injuries are ranked as the most devastating kind of medical malpractice. While most of them are caused by natural occurrences, some result purely from medical negligence. Common childbirth injuries include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Fractured bones
- Seizure disorders
- Paralysis
During labor, there are instances when the mother has to go through cesarean section, perhaps when the baby is in distress or the umbilical cord is over the baby’s neck. Failure to order a C-section is such a case can be considered malpractice.
2. Surgical Errors
A surgeon can make a mistake in the theatre if they are not careful. These careless errors are called “never events.” This means that the occurrence should never have happened in the first place. We have heard of instances where during surgery, the practitioner operated on the wrong body part, or punctured a crucial blood vessel. Apart from these instances, other surgical errors that amount to medical malpractice may include:
- Administering an incorrect amount of anesthesia
- Using unsterilized surgical tools
- Inadequate care after surgery
- Performing unnecessary surgery
3. Misdiagnosis
This is a common situation in the hospital corridors. It occurs in situations where you have a medical condition A, but get wrongfully diagnosed and treated for condition B. Being prescribed medication for a different condition than the one you are suffering from may cause serious harm, potentially leading to death in some instances.
Nevertheless, not all misplaced diagnosis may count as malpractices. According to the legal practitioners at The Tinker Law Firm, medical malpractice only occurs if the medical professional failed to observe standard protocol or didn’t do as another doctor would have done under similar circumstances. This is why if you believe you suffered an injury at the hands of a medical practitioner, you ought to consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They will guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit and seeking compensation for your pain, expenses, and suffering.
4. Medication Errors
There are times when doctors prescribe the wrong medication. This could stem from a misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis, but sometimes a doctor could make a mistake when prescribing medication. They could give the wrong drugs, or give the wrong dosage. In another case, a nurse may give the medication to the wrong patient. These careless mistakes can be considered medical malpractice!
Medical malpractices are not a new thing in this industry, but there’s one thing you should know: as a patient, the medical professional owes you the duty of care. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from medical malpractice, the best solution is to seek a personal injury attorney. They will walk with you through the corridors of justice and ensure you get the compensation you rightfully deserve.
