What Are the Most Common Types of Medical Malpractice?
The development of modern medicine over the last 100 years has significantly benefited millions of lives. Because of the life-saving power of medical practices today, doctors are seen as unequivocal sources of good in society. We respect them and trust them with our health and lives, and look to them to cure us in our times of dire need. But in reality, doctors can be just as prone to err as any other professionals. However, the difference between a medical mistake and a clerical error on a sales form is drastic. One might cost a life while the other is merely an inconvenience.
Legal Recourse for Medical Malpractice
Our legal system reflects this difference by severely penalizing instances of medical malpractice. These laws are in place to hold medical professionals to a high standard in order to eliminate devastating, preventable medical mistakes born out of carelessness or negligence. Though there’s no making up for a surgical procedure gone wrong or a missed diagnosis, our laws allow you to hold the negligent doctors and medical care facilities financially responsible for their grave mistakes.
The following are some of the most commonly committed examples of medical malpractice.
- Misdiagnosis – When a doctor fails to exercise a reasonable degree of competence in diagnosing a patient, they commit medical malpractice. This is the most common error doctors make, and it is completely avoidable as long as they follow proper protocol for diagnosing patients. Common misdiagnosed conditions include heart attacks, heart disease, infections, and tumors.
- Mishandling of Pregnancy or Childbirth – The whole child-bearing process remains a tricky process despite medical advances, so it is crucial that doctors stay sharp. Physician malpractice can include needlessly prolonging labor, C-section surgical error, causing the baby to be born prematurely, or injuring the baby or mother during labor.
- Prescription Medication Error – Many rely on medications daily for their wellbeing, and it is a serious problem when patients can’t get what they need because of a doctor’s carelessness. This can occur when a physician prescribes the wrong medication altogether or an incorrect dose, both of which could have critical consequences.
- Surgical Mistakes – A nightmare scenario for any patient is waking up to find that their surgeon has botched their procedure. In major surgeries, some patients may not wake up at all. Common errors include damaging nerves, causing excessive bleeding, administering anesthesia incorrectly, or even performing the wrong procedure.
Compensation for Medical Malpractice
Are you a victim of medical malpractice? Do you have a loved one who received substandard care from a doctor or medical facility? The Troutman Law Firm can help you get the compensation you are legally entitled to for your ordeal. Nobody should suffer at the hands of medical professionals. Our firm is dedicated to helping those who have been hurt by the negligence of others, and has had great success in securing our clients the money they deserve. To schedule your free consultation, call our offices today at 407-647-5002.