Medicine is a complex and ever-changing field. It is not the responsibility of a patient to understand everything that is happening, so oftentimes people do not realize they were the victim of medical malpractice. Mistakes and poor judgment in medical decisions and procedures can have dire consequences, sometimes even resulting in injury, disability, or death of the patient.
The good news is that there are plenty of professional medical malpractice attorneys that can help you build a case if you have been the victim of medical malpractice. There are some recurring themes in many malpractice suits and situations. If any of these signs sound familiar, your case may not have been medically sound. You may want to consider getting a legal consultation on your options.
Missing Informed Consent
Before any medical procedure or treatment, physicians must explain all of the practical benefits and risks to their patients. Hopefully, the patient is fully aware of the benefits before agreeing to a procedure, but the risks are equally important no matter how small the chance might be. Risks could be potential side effects, complications, or even future changes to the patient’s physiology.
It is ultimately up to the patient or their legal guardian to make the decision on what treatments and procedures to undergo. If the decision is made without the doctor explaining everything, there would be a clear lack of informed consent. Informed consent is an important part of medical regulation, and forgetting or ignoring it opens up the doctor for a medical malpractice suit.
Suspicious Death
While there is always a chance that a surgery or medical procedure could go wrong, sometimes the odds are so low that a negative outcome can be startling. If a loved one has died from the treatment, when they were not at all expected to, there may have been mistakes made with their care.
Wrongful death cases are common forms for medical malpractice suits to take. And because the cost of healthcare is insanely high in America and the cost of death similarly so, it has become common to acquire legal funding for medical malpractice litigation if it is needed. Removing a dangerous medical practitioner from circulation could help save the lives of others.
Misdiagnosis
If a doctor is making their decisions or offering advice based on an inaccurate diagnosis, the impact on a patient’s health can be swift and costly. Misdiagnosis is one of the more common forms of medical malpractice, and it is a potentially deadly situation for many patients. Many medical treatments have the possibility of worsening a patient’s condition if they do not have the suspected illness or condition.
No Diagnosis
Similarly dangerous to a misdiagnosis, a delayed or absent diagnosis can be fatal for patients who needed quick care. Especially with aggressive conditions and diseases, a patient’s health can quickly unravel if a doctor does not figure out the core problem. For example, early detection can go a long way towards saving the life of someone with cancer. If a doctor dismisses their concerns or symptoms in an early stage, that delay in diagnosis is malpractice.
Incorrect Prescription or Dosage
One of the clearest examples of medical malpractice is when a patient is prescribed or administered the wrong medication or dosage. An incorrect medication is not always a blatant error; it could simply be a negative interaction with the patient’s other prescriptions or medical history. When a doctor does not thoroughly review a patient’s file and ask questions to verify, they have let that patient down. And it can quickly become hazardous to that patient.
Next Steps
If these signs of medical malpractice sound familiar to you, or seem similar to the situation of a deceased family member, there is a strong chance you have the grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Even if the victim recovers, the financial impact of more medical bills from needlessly difficult treatment can leave people with poor finances or a mountain of debt. Speak to an attorney that specializes in medical lawsuits and weigh your options.
As a journalist, Leland D. Bengtson dedicated most of his career to law reporting. He aims to draw in the public and make people more interested in the field. He is active on multiple platforms to increase his outreach to the public. Leland tirelessly covers all types of legal issues, but he has a personal preference for medical malpractice. This is mainly because he witnessed the implications of medical malpractice on a family member.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
