What are the Common Types of Medical Malpractice?

Medical professionals are highly trained and are expected to provide quality care. Unfortunately, mistakes can still happen and lead to injury or sometimes death. This is called medical malpractice, which is professional negligence. It is when a healthcare provider breaches their duty of care in their profession, resulting in harm or injury to the patient.

Many people may get confused when it comes to medical malpractice vs. negligence. Basically, medical malpractice is a subset of medical negligence. When a victim has been injured in a medical malpractice case, they have legal rights to hold the professional accountable and receive compensation for their losses.

For that, you should understand some common types of medical malpractice so that you know whether you are one of the victims of it. Here are the types:

Surgical Errors

Surgical errors are the most serious type of medical malpractice. These errors can include performing surgery on the wrong part, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, or making critical mistakes like cutting the nerves during the procedure. These kinds of errors can lead to long-term complications, require additional surgery, and sometimes be fatal.

In some cases, these errors may happen because the surgeon was distracted or was rushing to finish the surgery quickly. In other cases, it may be due to improper planning and communication. For example, a wrong-site surgery is a preventable error. This mistake is often the result of poor communication between the surgical team and failure to check important details before performing the surgery.

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

Misdiagnosis often occurs when a doctor may misinterpret lab results, fail to consider all symptoms, or rely on incomplete medical histories. In other cases, the symptoms of a severe disease may be mistaken for something more common. Delayed diagnosis can occur when a doctor fails to follow up on test results in a timely manner or overlooks the significance of a particular symptom. The consequences of these errors can be severe.

If a doctor does not correctly diagnose a condition, they cannot provide the right treatment in time for that specific condition, which may worsen the condition even more. This is particularly dangerous in cases involving cancer and heart disease.

Medication Errors

Medication error means the healthcare provider prescribes or administers the wrong medication or wrong dosage to the patient. Some of the examples of these errors are when a doctor prescribes a medication that a patient is allergic to or when a pharmacist dispenses the wrong drug.

These errors can be particularly dangerous if a patient is already taking multiple medications that interact negatively with the new prescription. Even minor mistakes, such as an incorrect dosage, can have life-threatening consequences, especially in vulnerable populations like children or the elderly.

Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia errors are a critical type of malpractice. An overdose of anesthesia can lead to respiratory arrest, brain injury, or even death, while underdosing may cause the patient to wake up during surgery, leading to extreme psychological distress and physical pain.

Anesthesia errors may also occur if the patient’s medical history is not reviewed properly, leading to dangerous interactions or complications. Anesthesia malpractice often occurs due to a lack of experience, poor communication, or negligence in monitoring the patient throughout the procedure.

Birth Injuries

Birth injuries are another common form of medical malpractice. Errors can occur if a doctor doesn’t respond to signs of distress in the baby or mother, leading to complications like cerebral palsy or birth asphyxia. Obstetricians and medical teams should monitor both the mother and baby closely throughout labor and delivery to minimize the risk of injury.

Some birth injuries occur due to improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction during a difficult delivery. Additionally, failure to recognize and address conditions such as umbilical cord prolapse, which restricts blood flow to the baby, can lead to permanent brain damage or other life-altering conditions.

Conclusion

Medical professionals should be held accountable when they fail to meet a reasonable standard of care. The legal process may seem complex, but with the right lawyer, you can handle it easily. If you suspect you or your loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, consult an experienced attorney to receive justice.