5 of the Most Common Types of Medical Malpractice

 Posted on October 16, 2019 in Medical Malpractice

Within recent years, the public has witnessed an array of medical malpractice statistics surface across the nation. In the not-so-distant past, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) cited medical negligence as the third leading cause of death in the United States, and a Johns Hopkins study once claimed that more than 250,000 people die each year in the United States from medical mistakes. From coast to coast, emerging reports such as these leave a trail of concerns among patients and their families, namely the worry that one of these medical errors will one day affect them personally and hit much too close to home.

What Is Medical Negligence?

While the thought of a medical mistake in the healthcare community is a scary one, you can combat that fear by educating yourself and your loved ones. You are the best advocate for your own healthcare. Make yourself aware of the various forms of medical negligence so you can work to reduce your risks, and empower yourself by seeking out the resources and help you need in the event that you experience an incident of medical error. Here are examples of some of the most common types of malpractice we see in the medical community today:

1. Surgical errors - From anesthesia mistakes to improper tool sterilization, there are a number of surgery-related missteps that can wreak serious havoc on a patient’s well being. These errors can put a patient’s health at risk long after they leave the operating room.

2. Misdiagnosis and Missed diagnosis - Misdiagnosis is what happens when a doctor gives a patient an incorrect diagnosis, while a missed diagnosis occurs when a doctor fails to diagnose a patient's condition altogether. Both kinds of these medical errors have the potential to cause irreparable consequences.

3. Delayed diagnosis - Between doctor visits, a delay in a patient’s diagnosis often gives that patient’s condition time to worsen, resulting in greater health risks, more doctor visits, and steeper medical bills.

4. Birth injuries - Brain injuries, facial paralysis, bone fractures, and disorders such as cerebral palsy are common birth injuries that may be due to an act of medical negligence. Even something as routine as a circumcision procedure can be mishandled, causing needless pain and suffering.

5. Pharmaceutical errors - Medication errors are also classified as a form of medical malpractice. A doctor may prescribe the wrong dosage of a drug, or a medication may be prescribed without taking a patient’s allergies or history into consideration. These actions can lead to a patient's condition becoming worse.

Contact an Arlington Heights Medical Negligence Lawyer

The moment you suspect you have experienced a medical error, you should speak with a qualified, dedicated Palatine medical malpractice attorney who can help address your concerns and determine the best course of action to protect your rights. You may be entitled to compensation for your injury and suffering. Schedule a free phone consultation today by calling Newland & Newland, LLP at 847-797-8000.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2013/05/16/10-things-you-want-to-know-about-medical-malpractice/#aeaeef1416b7

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/22/medical-errors-third-leading-cause-of-death-in-america.html