Most Common Medical Errors that Lead to Malpractice Lawsuits

Medical malpractice cases arise when healthcare providers fail to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to patients. As experienced medical malpractice attorneys, we've handled numerous cases stemming from various forms of negligence. Here are the top 10 most common bases for medical malpractice lawsuits:

Failure to Diagnose or Delayed Diagnosis

Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis accounts for a significant portion of medical malpractice claims. This occurs when a doctor fails to recognize and diagnose a condition in a timely manner, leading to delayed treatment and potentially worse outcomes for the patient. Common examples include failing to diagnose cancer, heart attacks, or infections.

Surgical Errors

Surgical mistakes are another leading cause of malpractice suits. These can include:

• Operating on the wrong body part
• Performing the wrong procedure
• Leaving surgical instruments inside the patient
• Causing unnecessary damage to surrounding tissues or organs

Medication Errors

Medication-related errors are alarmingly common and can have severe consequences. These may involve:

• Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage
• Failing to account for drug interactions
• Administering medication incorrectly

Birth Injuries

Complications during pregnancy, labor, and delivery can result in serious injuries to the mother or child. Common birth injury claims involve:

• Failure to perform a timely C-section
• Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
• Failure to monitor fetal distress

Anesthesia Errors

While rare, anesthesia errors can be catastrophic. These may include:

• Administering too much or too little anesthesia
• Failing to monitor the patient's vital signs

6. Failure to Treat

In some cases, a doctor may correctly diagnose a condition but fail to recommend appropriate treatment. This can lead to the progression of the disease and worsened outcomes for the patient.

8. Failure to Obtain Informed Consent

Doctors must inform patients about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of proposed treatments. Failing to obtain proper informed consent before performing a procedure can be grounds for a malpractice claim.

Emergency Room Errors

The fast-paced nature of emergency departments can lead to mistakes such as:

• Misdiagnosing critical conditions
• Failing to order necessary tests
• Failing to diagnose strokes and heart attacks
• Discharging patients prematurely

Radiology Errors

Misreading or misinterpreting X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other imaging studies can lead to missed diagnoses and improper treatment plans.

It's important to note that not all adverse medical outcomes are the result of malpractice. However, when healthcare providers deviate from the accepted standard of care and cause harm to patients, they may be held liable for their negligence.

If you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, it's crucial to consult with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options. Medical malpractice cases are complex and require a thorough understanding of both medical and legal principles. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully representing clients in a wide range of medical malpractice cases, and we're committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve.