You may have a viable medical malpractice claim if you are harmed by any medical professional, including doctors, nurses, or physical therapists. Many people assume that medical malpractice claims are only made against doctors, but that is not the case. Any medical professional can cause an injury that would result in a valid legal claim.
Some medical injuries more than others are likely to lead to a medical malpractice claim. If you have experienced a medical injury, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Diagnosis Problems
Misdiagnosis or late diagnosis is one of the most common causes of medical malpractice claims. When a medical professional treats you for the wrong condition, it can cause more problems than you had initially. Treatment opportunities can also be delayed, which may result in a worsening of your condition.
Misdiagnosis cases are particularly egregious when the patient or a patient’s loved one suggests that the patient be tested for a certain condition, and the medical professional ignores the suggestion. Unfortunately, situations like these are relatively common.
Medication Errors
A medication error occurs when the patient is provided the wrong medication or dosage. It can also occur when a medical professional fails to check which medications will interact negatively with other medication. Roughly 1.3 million individuals are harmed due to medication errors every year, and medication errors cause at least one death every day in the United States.
Poor communication is the number one reason that medication errors occur. It is imperative to talk with your doctor about the medications you are already taking and get specific directions on how to take any new medicines.
Errors Regarding Surgery
Surgeons are not perfect, and they can make mistakes in the operating room. Unfortunately, even slight errors during surgery can have devastating effects. There are horror stories about doctors operating on the wrong body part or leaving equipment inside a patient. However, most surgery errors involve just a slight mistake, such as cutting too deeply or too close to a nearby organ.
Errors after surgery can lead to serious health problems as well. Post-operative care is extremely important to keep the wound clean so that it can heal properly. Failure to use the correct dressing or other care procedures can lead to infection and even situations where the surgery may need to be repeated.
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia is necessary for many surgical situations. There is a delicate balance between using too much and too little anesthesia for a procedure. Using too much can lead to serious long-term injuries, but not using enough can result in the patient is awake during surgery.
It is extremely important to monitor vital signs closely while a patient is “under.” Failing to ensure that the patient has normal heart rate and breathing can result in permanent injuries, brain damage, and even death. Monitoring and using the right equipment to promote breathing are both vital.
Getting Legal Help
A medical malpractice claim can arise from virtually any type of medical error. The law holds medical professionals to a higher standard compared to the average person because they have specialized training and knowledge. As patients, we put a lot of trust in doctors, and we expect them to act with care. If you or a loved one was injured while receiving medical attention, you may have legal rights. Call 833 – LEGALGA to speak with a Georgia medical malpractice lawyer today.
