In an ideal world, healthcare professionals would always provide top-notch care, and patients would recover without any complications. However, medical errors can and do happen, sometimes as a result of medical malpractice, leading to devastating consequences for patients and their families. Here are the five most common medical malpractice claims.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
One of the most prevalent medical malpractice claims arises from misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. When a physician fails to accurately diagnose a medical condition or fails to diagnose it in a timely manner, patients may miss out on crucial treatments, leading to disease progression and potentially irreversible harm. Misdiagnosis can happen due to various reasons, such as inadequate testing, misinterpretation of test results, or overlooking critical symptoms. Conditions like cancer, heart disease, and infections are particularly susceptible to these errors.
Surgical Errors
Surgical procedures carry inherent risks, but some complications arise due to avoidable errors. Common surgical errors include operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient’s body, nerve damage during surgery, and anesthesia errors. Surgeons and their teams must adhere to strict safety protocols to prevent these types of harm, and any deviation from these standards can lead to serious consequences for the patient.
Medication Errors
Medication errors can occur at various stages, from administering to prescribing the wrong medication or incorrect dosage. Doctors must take into account a patient’s medical history, allergies, and other medications to ensure safe prescription practices. Additionally, pharmacists play a crucial role in verifying prescriptions and educating patients about proper medication usage. Negligence at any stage can lead to harmful drug interactions, adverse reactions, or even fatal outcomes.
Birth Injuries
Childbirth injuries can affect both the mother and the child. Examples of birth injuries include brachial plexus injuries, cerebral palsy, and fractures. Healthcare professionals involved in childbirth must carefully monitor both the mother and the baby, identify potential complications, and take timely and appropriate actions to ensure a safe delivery. Failure to do so can lead to lifelong consequences for the child and emotional trauma for the family. If your child has suffered birth injuries due to medical malpractice, contact our Atlanta birth injury lawyers today.
Failure to Obtain Informed Consent
Before performing any medical procedure or treatment, healthcare providers are obligated to obtain informed consent from the patient or their legal guardian. Informed consent means providing the patient with all relevant information about a procedure’s risks, benefits, and alternatives, allowing the patient to make an informed decision about their care. Failure to obtain informed consent can be considered a form of medical malpractice, as it violates the patient’s right to autonomy and self-determination.
Seeking Justice for Medical Malpractice
While not all adverse medical outcomes are the result of malpractice, patients should not hesitate to seek legal advice if they suspect substandard care has caused harm. If you or a loved one believes your injury or illness is related to a preventable error, contact an Atlanta medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Holding responsible parties accountable will not only help you recover the compensation you deserve but also promotes a safer and more trustworthy healthcare system for everyone.