4 Different Types of Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is a serious issue that can physically and mentally devastate patients. It involves medical care providers, such as doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, failing to provide a standard of care that meets accepted medical standards, resulting in harm or injury. Medical malpractice can include misdiagnosis, medication errors, surgical errors, and wrong-site surgeries. Read further as we go more in-depth about different types of healthcare malpractice cases.

1. Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis is one of the most common types of medical malpractice, and this type of negligence can lead to serious consequences for patients. Sometimes, medical professionals may fail to recognize signs or symptoms of certain conditions, misdiagnose the illness, or delay diagnosis. This means that the patient may not get the correct treatment promptly, which can result in delayed recovery or even death. There are many causes for misdiagnosis, one of the most common being poor communication between the patient and doctor.

2. Medication Errors

Medication errors can occur when a patient receives the wrong medication, dose, route, or wrong time of medication. This type of negligence can be dangerous and even life-threatening for patients as it can lead to drug interactions, allergic reactions, or other medical complications. It’s important to ensure that healthcare professionals take extra care when prescribing and administering medications.

3. Surgical Errors

Unfortunately, mistakes can occur during surgery, such as cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery. These errors can include leaving medical instruments inside the patient, incorrect sterilization of surgical instruments, and anesthesia errors. Surgical errors can lead to serious infections, pain, or even disability.

4. Wrong Site Surgeries

Wrong-site surgery is considered one of the most serious types of medical malpractice. This type of negligence occurs when a surgeon operates on the wrong body part, such as amputating the wrong arm or leg. It’s estimated that about 40 wrong-site surgeries happen each week across the U.S., according to the National Library of Medicine. To prevent this from happening, healthcare facilities have implemented certain protocols to ensure that surgeons are operating on the correct part.

Medical malpractice cases can be complex and require the expertise of a medical malpractice attorney to ensure that victims get the justice and compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has experienced medical negligence, seek legal help right away. Contact the Law Offices of Steven Zwick today for trusted legal assistance.