What Are the Most Common Reasons for Malpractice Claims?
When a patient goes to a doctor, they are putting their trust in that healthcare provider that they will receive the proper medical attention, diagnosis, and treatment for whatever health condition brought them to their doctor to begin with. The last thing a patient expects is that the very people who are supposed to be responsible for helping them end up being responsible for causing injury or other harm. In these situations, the patient may be able to pursue legal action against the medical provider to recover damages for the losses they have suffered.
Medical malpractice lawsuits can be complex, which is why anyone who has suffered because of medical negligence should consult with an Illinois personal injury lawyer who specializes in these cases.
The following are some of the most common reasons for medical malpractice lawsuits.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
Misdiagnosis is a prevalent issue in medical malpractice cases. When a healthcare provider fails to accurately diagnose a patient's condition or delays the diagnosis, it can have severe consequences. Common cases include the failure to identify cancer, heart disease, or infections in their early stages. Patients may suffer from more advanced and less treatable conditions as a result, leading to adverse outcomes. In some cases, misdiagnosis occurs due to inadequate testing, misinterpretation of test results, or a failure to follow up on symptoms.
Surgical Errors
Surgical procedures are complex and carry inherent risks. However, when surgical errors occur due to negligence or incompetence, they can lead to catastrophic consequences. Common surgical malpractice cases involve wrong-site surgery, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, damaging adjacent organs, or performing unnecessary procedures. Post-operative infections and complications resulting from surgical errors can also result in malpractice.
Medication Errors
Medication errors are another common cause of medical malpractice lawsuits. These errors can occur at various stages, from prescribing and dispensing medications to administering them to patients. Examples include prescribing the wrong medication, incorrect dosages, failing to consider drug interactions, and administering medication to a patient with known allergies.
Medication errors can lead to serious adverse reactions, overdose, organ damage, or even death. Healthcare providers are responsible for ensuring the safe and accurate use of medications, and any deviation from this duty can result in legal action.
Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can be emotionally devastating and often lead to medical malpractice claims. These injuries can occur during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Birth-related malpractice issues include failure to diagnose or respond to prenatal conditions, improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery, and delayed or inappropriate emergency interventions.
Birth injuries can result in long-term disabilities for the child, necessitating extensive medical care and support. Families may pursue legal action to seek compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, and the emotional toll of a birth injury.
Contact a Kane County Personal Injury Lawyer
Patients place their trust in healthcare providers to deliver competent and safe care, and deviations from the expected standard of care can lead to severe consequences. The goal of medical malpractice lawsuits is to hold healthcare professionals accountable for their actions and seek compensation for the harm caused to patients and their families.
If you or a loved one has been injured because of medical negligence, contact an Aurora, IL medical malpractice attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have. Call Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. at 630-907-0909 to schedule a free consultation.
