No one who seeks medical attention wants to end up worse off than they were before. Doctors and nurses are not perfect and can sometimes make mistakes that have serious consequences for their patients. Anyone who has been harmed due to negligence by a medical staff member may be able to file a medical malpractice suit.
1. Childbirth Injuries
Childbirth injuries may happen to the mother, the child or both during the delivery process. Making a mistake during the delivery of a baby may leave the infant with life-long issues, resulting in distress for the family as they must adapt to the unexpected situation. Conditions like postpartum hemorrhage may even lead to the death of the mother after delivery. While anyone who has suffered unnecessarily during childbirth may pursue a medical malpractice claim, settlements for each case related to childbirth injuries differ depending on the individual circumstances involved.
2. Misdiagnosis
Not all illnesses are easy to recognize or treat, as vastly different diseases may have very similar symptoms. However, misdiagnosis is a serious issue, as treating a patient for the wrong disease can have serious consequences. The cost of the additional, unnecessary treatment may place a heavy financial burden upon the patient. The illness may worsen due to the delay in treatment and the improper treatment itself, potentially leading to death.
3. Incorrect Medications
If the wrong medication is administered to a patient, it could be the fault of a number of people. The doctor may have written the prescription out incorrectly, or illegibly, causing the pharmacy to issue the wrong medication to the patient. The pharmacist could make a mistake when filling the prescription and give out the wrong item. In some cases, the drug manufacturer may have created a faulty product that does not contain the correct ingredients. The medication may cause trouble by itself, or it could interact with other prescription drugs and cause serious problems.
4. Anesthesia Errors
If someone has been administered incorrect amounts of anesthesia, it can lead to problems. The administration of too much anesthesia may result in brain damage or death. The medical history of the patient should be examined beforehand to prevent any issues. At that time, any allergies, current medications and past problems can be reviewed and accounted for. If someone neglects to properly review the paperwork or makes a mistake, the consequences could be dire.
5. Surgical Mistakes
There are many types of surgeries and each of them has certain risks. If the medical team uses unsafe practices during the surgery, things can go wrong. Nerves or organs may be damaged during the procedure, possibly resulting in additional recovery time or lifelong issues. Surgeons may operate on the wrong part of the body or perform the incorrect procedure altogether. They may also leave medical equipment inside of a patient or use nonsterile instruments, all of which can lead to a medical malpractice case.
Most people who receive medical care are treated properly and do not have any issues. However, accidents will happen, and anyone who believes they have been harmed due to the actions of a medical team should contact an experienced lawyer for advice.