For most people, when they feel ill, pain or extreme discomfort, the first thing they do is seek the attention of a physician. They are the most trusted individuals when it comes to health matters.
Doctors, however, are humans, too. They may commit an error that can lead to serious emotional and physical consequences. Here is a guide to some of the most common cases of medical malpractice:
Misdiagnosis
Most complaints of medical malpractice are related to missed or delayed diagnoses. This is when a medical practitioner incorrectly tells the patient that they have a condition they don’t have or worse, that they have no illness at all when, in fact, they do have a problem that needs attention.
As a result, the patient could receive a list of prescribed medicines or treatments they don’t really need. The patient may also not get the immediate treatment they need which may lead to serious health risks. This counts as malpractice. You should consult your lawyer first as you can file a lawsuit only if you or a patient suffered real harm or damage.
Surgical Errors
This type of medical malpractice can dramatically affect someone’s quality of life. It can take many forms:
- Damaging other tissues, nerves, and organs during surgery
- Giving the incorrect type or amount of anesthesia
- Leaving behind a foreign object inside the body
- Performing the wrong operation
- Operating on the wrong body part
- Using non-sterilized surgical instruments
- Providing inadequate postoperative care
This type of medical error can lead to a patient’s death. If you think you or someone is a victim, talk to attorney who’s knowledgeable when it comes to medical malpractice.
Negligence Affecting Pregnancy and Childbirth Injuries
Negligent prenatal care can lead to injuries that may affect the fetus, mother, or both. A physician’s failure to diagnose a mother’s medical condition that can be passed on to the baby is one such case.
Meanwhile, childbirth injuries can also stem from negligent prenatal care or during the birth process itself. The injuries can be severe such as brain injuries, excessive bleeding, and fractured bones. Talk to your malpractice attorney to know more about the errors medical practitioners may commit during pregnancy and childbirth.
Know Your Rights
If you or someone you know experienced any of these, talk to a lawyer who’s well-versed in cases relating to medical malpractice in Pikeville, Kentucky. Call Vanover, Hall & Bartley today, and we’ll do our best to help you get the compensation you deserve.
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