There are varying types of medical malpractice claims, so read more to understand which medical malpractice cases are the most common.
Patients are due a standard of care that upholds their safety and life. No national-level framework for monitoring patient safety exists, and the Journal of Patient Safety noted in an April 2021 study that the issue of health care safety is “approaching epidemic proportions.” When medical misconduct results in injury or death, a medical malpractice case is the best option to have your rights upheld. Medical staff engagement and performance are critical for better quality care, lower mortality rates, and reporting of errors and incidents. When you or a loved one has not been given an adequate standard of medical care, here are the common medical malpractice claims that tend to occur so you can be on the lookout.
Prescription Drug Errors
From severe allergic reactions to loss of life, prescription drug errors can have fatal consequences. Errors can include prescribing the wrong type of medicine, the incorrect dosage, not recognizing a dangerous drug interaction or allergic reaction, or failing to recognize the signs of addiction or abuse for at-risk patients.
Failure to Treat
The failure to treat a patient adequately can show up when a patient is released too soon from a facility or hospital, not provided with instructions for caring for a condition or follow-ups, not ordering relevant medical exams or tests, not considering a patient’s medical history, or having too large of a patient base to adequately take care of each patient.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
A healthcare provider can incorrectly diagnose or diagnose a patient too late after the medical concern occurs that it causes irrevocable damage. A failure to recognize clinical symptoms and signs, order relevant tests or research and act on additional information, or have the patient referred to the relevant specialist can all result in medical malpractice. Additionally, mislabeled or lost test or lab results or errors when conducting tests or evaluating data can make a big impact on a person’s life.
Surgical or Procedural Errors
Whether you are an outpatient or in the hospital or emergency room, you are due a standard of care that prevents you from harm. Common surgery mistakes include surgery being done on the wrong body part or patient; problems with anesthesia; failure to follow accepted practices before, during, and after the procedure; not communicating vital information to avoid an error; and/or leaving devices, tools, or other materials in the patient that should never be left permanently.
Childbirth Injuries
Childbirth is a critical time both for the mother and infant. Examples of substandard care include not receiving a notice of any prenatal health conditions before birth; failure to perform a C-section when the circumstances necessitate it; not recognizing fetal distress; improperly using forceps or excessive force to separate the baby from the birth canal; not taking care of the umbilical cord around the baby’s nose, mouth, or neck; and/or mishandling the baby.
Takeaway
Any health care that deviates from the accepted, ethical standards of care can cause medical malpractice. Medical professionals should be held accountable for their wrongdoing by patients taking a stand through a medical malpractice case. The Tampa medical malpractice attorneys at Trentalange & Kelley P.A. will investigate what caused the medical malpractice and help you recover damages for medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact Us
Given the complexities of medical malpractice claims and deadlines to pursue legal action, patients should promptly call a medical malpractice law firm to get the justice they deserve. TK Firm’s successful track record includes multimillion-dollar medical malpractice jury verdicts and settlements, giving patients the peace of mind that they have a strong, trusted legal ally by their side during their critical time of need. Contact us at TK Law today and call 813-226-1080 for a free consultation.