First, Do No Harm: Common Mistakes Made By Doctors and Other Medical Professionals

 Posted on November 14, 2018 in Medical Malpractice

Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are some of the most trusted members of our society. Of course, medical professionals are human just like everyone else, and they sometimes make mistakes. Unfortunately, errors made by doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and other medical professionals can often have devastating consequences.

Negligence Must Be Proven in Medical Malpractice Claims

Before delving into the most common mistakes made by medical professionals, it is important to be clear about one point: medical malpractice only occurs when negligence occurs. A patient simply being unhappy with the results of a medical procedure or test cannot be reason enough to claim malpractice. Furthermore, a medical procedure or surgery which results in a negative outcome is not always the result of medical malpractice or doctor error. For example, when an individual receives an organ transplant, the organ is sometimes “rejected” by the patient’s body. This can happen for a myriad of reasons and is usually not related to any negligent acts by the surgeon or other hospital staff. In order for a successful medical malpractice claim to be made, negligence must be proven. A medical professional is negligent when he or she acts in a way which is not reasonably competent or skilled, and this carelessness leads to patient harm.

Errors Which Often Lead to Malpractice Suits

There are many different situations which might necessitate a medical malpractice lawsuit. Patients who have been misdiagnosed or did not receive a diagnosis in a timely matter often have the justification to sue. Understandably, it can sometimes take doctors and other medical experts a long time to reach an accurate diagnosis. However, when a diagnosis is delayed or a patient is misdiagnosed due to negligence, the doctor and staff may be held liable. Childbirth injuries including seizure disorders and cerebral palsy can sometimes be caused by doctor error. Negligent prenatal care can result in damage to both the fetus as well as the mother.

Medication errors can occur when a doctor or other healthcare professional prescribes the wrong medication, administers the wrong medication, or the patient receives too little or too much of their medication. Patients who receive treatment or medication based on a misdiagnosis may also be the victims of medical malpractice. Anesthesia errors and mistakes made during surgery also result in malpractice claims every year.

A Rockford Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, contact the experienced Winnebago County medical malpractice attorneys at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois. To schedule your cost-free initial consultation with our team of professionals, call us today at 815-215-7561.

Sources:

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/9-most-common-medical-errors.html

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/study_suggests_medical_errors_now_third_leading_cause_of_death_in_the_us