What Are Common Medical Malpractice Cases?

 Posted on January 10, 2024 in Personal Injury

When you visit the doctor, receive surgery, give birth in a hospital, or undergo virtually any medical treatment, your health is quite literally in the hands of medical professionals and staff. Despite best intentions and years of rigorous training, even the most seasoned physicians and nurses can make critical mistakes. 

Medical errors, varying widely in type and severity, drive numerous malpractice lawsuits yearly.  If you have experienced what you think is malpractice, you have a right to find out. A Florida personal injury lawyer can help you determine if you have a case against a doctor or facility.

Failure to Diagnose or Misdiagnosis

One of the most common medical malpractice allegations involves a doctor’s failure to diagnose a medical condition or providing an incorrect diagnosis. This type of error leads to delayed treatment or the wrong treatment being administered. Some examples include failing to diagnose cancer early on, misreading test results, or not recognizing symptoms of a heart attack. The effects of a failure to correctly identify or misidentify can be physically and emotionally devastating to the patient.

Surgical Errors

With the advanced technology and training surgeons have today, surgical errors should be rare. However, mistakes still occur in the operating room. Surgical errors can involve a surgeon operating on the wrong site (for example, the wrong knee), leaving surgical equipment inside the patient, or nicking internal organs. Surgical errors often lead to serious infections, extended hospital stays, and follow-up corrective surgeries.

Medication Errors

Doctors and nurses have an obligation to administer medications correctly and to monitor patients for adverse reactions. Medication errors include prescribing the wrong drug or dosage for a patient, administering medication via the wrong route (like injecting instead of giving an oral dose), or giving medication to a patient with a known allergy. These errors can cause significant harm.

Birth Injuries

Bringing a child into this world should be a joyous occasion. But when errors occur during labor and delivery, the consequences for the baby can be devastating. Common birth injuries because of medical negligence include cerebral palsy, fractures, and brachial plexus injuries. These injuries can severely impact the child for the rest of his or her life.

Infections Acquired in Hospitals

Catching an infection while admitted as a patient is a risk many people face. Failure to follow sanitary protocol and infection control policies may allow bacteria like MRSA or sepsis to spread. For a vulnerable patient, a hospital-acquired infection can quickly spiral out of control.

Contact a Fort Lauderdale, FL, Medical Malpractice Lawyer

While no doctors or healthcare facilities intend to make mistakes, medical errors happen frequently. If you suffered harm under a healthcare professional’s care, contact a Broward County, FL, medical malpractice attorney to discuss your legal options. With an in-depth investigation into what exactly went wrong, there is potential to build a strong case on your behalf while you focus on healing. Call The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A. at 800-555-4011 for a free consultation.