Medical errors can have devastating consequences on patients and their families. Back in 2016, a study by Johns Hopkins University reported that medical errors were the third leading cause of death in the United States. Today, more research is needed to determine if that number is higher or lower, but the fact remains that medical errors do happen, and the outcomes can impact the quality of your life—physically, emotionally, and financially.
What Are Medical Errors?
Medical errors are mistakes that occur during the provision of healthcare services, such as misdiagnosis, prescribing the wrong medication or dosage, surgical mistakes, and communication errors between healthcare professionals. These errors can result in harm to patients, including injury, disability, or even death.
Therefore, it’s important for healthcare providers to implement measures to prevent and mitigate medical errors; however, if they happen, you have an advocate ready to fight for you.
Common Types of Medical Errors
Whether you’re having a medical procedure, treatment, or simply taking certain medications, it’s critical to remain aware of the different types of medical errors that can occur, the impact they can have on your health, and when you should consult with an attorney to seek compensation for damages.
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis occurs when a medical professional fails to identify a medical condition correctly. This can lead to incorrect treatment or delays in treatment. As you may have guessed, this can have significant consequences for patients, including unnecessary medical procedures, medication, or death.
Medication Errors
When a healthcare provider prescribes the wrong medication or incorrect dosage, or if he or she administers your medication through the wrong route, the results can be severe. For example, medication errors can cause significant harm, including injury, an allergic reaction, organ failure, stroke, etc.
Note that in cases where your doctor prescribed the correct medication, but the pharmacy gives you the wrong medication or incorrect instructions, the pharmacist and company may be liable if you become injured or ill due to the medical error.
Surgical Errors
Surgical errors can include performing the wrong procedure, operating on the wrong body part, or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient’s body. These errors can lead to severe complications, including infection or hemorrhage.
Other Types of Medical Errors
- Miscommunication between healthcare providers or between providers and patients.
- Equipment failure, such as malfunctioning medical equipment or devices.
- Hospital-acquired infections or infections related to medical procedures that were not monitored or neglected by your healthcare team.
- Falls and other accidents, such as slips, trips, and falls in healthcare facilities due to the negligence of others.
- Inadequate follow-up on test results or doctor missing appointments.
- Inadequate monitoring, such as failing to monitor vital signs or patient symptoms.
- Inadequate training or supervision, including insufficient training for healthcare providers or inadequate supervision of trainees.
When medical errors occur, you must consult with an attorney to determine if you have a case for compensation.
Damages may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other related expenses
You Are Not Alone
If you or a loved one has become the victim of a doctor’s mistake, you may be feeling traumatized or emotionally withdrawn. At Meshbesher and Spence, we understand the impact that these situations can have on your personal and professional life—as well as those around you. We are here to support you throughout this difficult time and ensure that you receive fair compensation for any damages or losses you have suffered.
Our experienced team of personal injury lawyers has a deep understanding of the complexities of medical malpractice cases. We’ll work closely with you to gather all the necessary evidence, including medical records and expert testimony, to build a strong case on your behalf.
We believe that you deserve justice and fair compensation for any harm caused by a medical error. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.