Common Reasons For Medical Malpractice Claims

Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When medical care or treatment results in harm, it may be a result of medical malpractice. As a Lafayette, IN medical malpractice lawyer from Hall-Justice can explain, medical malpractice describes treatment errors that result in harm to the patient, intentional or unintended. The most common reasons for medical malpractice claims include the following:

Delayed Diagnosis

For many ailments and conditions, early detection is essential for achieving a successful treatment outcome. When the care professional fails to detect and diagnose a condition in a timely manner, it will likely have the opportunity to worsen. When the condition is life-threatening, such as cancer or congestive heart failure, a delay in diagnosis could prove to be fatal. Delays in diagnosis such conditions may constitute grounds for a medical malpractice claim.

Childbirth Injury

Childbirth comes with inherent risks to the baby and the mother. Preventable injuries sustained by a baby or the mother during birth are a particularly devastating form of medical malpractice and should be addressed with the utmost seriousness as these injuries can have life-long ramifications and be cause for much pain and hardship for the family.

Medical errors that are commonly associated with negligence or medical malpractice during childbirth:

• Misuse of forceps during childbirth
• Cesarean section errors or mistakes
• Placental abruption or other abnormalities
• nerve damage
• Oxygen deprivation
• Hemorrhage of the mother (pregnancy or labor)

Hospital Infections

Fortunately, a great deal of effort is made in hospitals to reduce patients’ risk of infection. Even with extensive infection reduction protocols, infections can still happen to patients while hospitalized. There are a few general guidelines used to qualify an infection as hospital-associated:

• Infection identified up to 48 hours following admission to a hospital
• Infection occurrence up to three days after discharge
• Infection up to 30 days after surgery
• Patient hospital admission for reasons other than infection

Cancer Misdiagnosis

Early detection is essential for being able to achieve a higher likelihood of a successful outcome in cancer treatments. Unfortunately, when cancer is neglected to be diagnosed or even misdiagnosed, it can progress to a point where treatment is no longer feasible. The consequences of cancer misdiagnosis are devastating for victims and their families.

Failure to Diagnose

When there is a complete failure to diagnose a health condition or illness, failure to diagnose has likely occurred. As one of the most common forms of medical malpractice, failing to diagnose an illness or life threatening condition may result in serious consequences that may be life-threatening.

Bedsores

Those who are immobile or otherwise confined to one place while receiving medical care in a hospital bed, and are left in one position for extended periods of time, may develop bedsores. Also known as pressure ulcers, bedsores may get infected and lead to further complications. Bedsores can also indicate other less apparent patterns of abuse in care settings such as nursing homes or assisted living.

Dental Malpractice

Dental patients can be subjected to significant harm if a dentist misdiagnoses a condition or fails to administer anesthesia correctly.