What Kind Of Errors Leads To A Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?

For most people, going to the doctor or another healthcare professional means they receive the care they need. However, there are times when errors are made by medical professionals. When this happens, victims need to know where to turn. At Brown, Moore & Associates, PLLC, our Charlotte medical malpractice attorneys want to discuss some of the most common errors that lead to medical malpractice lawsuits.

Errors made by medical professionals are more common than people think

The word “error” is not something that you want to hear after you or a loved one undergoes a medical procedure. Unfortunately, millions of Americans are injured due to medical mistakes each year in this country. Johns Hopkins researchers say that as many as 250,000 people lose their lives each year due to preventable medical errors, making them the third leading cause of death in the US.

What errors are the most common? There are many different ways that a person can be harmed due to medical errors. However, the following are some of the most common errors:

• Misdiagnosis – Before treatment can begin, a medical professional must make a proper diagnosis. They do this by running the required tests (as indicated by a person’s symptoms) and by using the patient’s past medical history. When they fail to properly diagnose a patient, serious harm can occur.
• Surgical mistakes – There are “never events” that occur in surgery that can cause serious patient harm. This can include things like leaving sponges or tools inside of a patient, operating on the wrong patient, making a mistake with anesthesia, and more. However, there are other “minor” surgical errors that can lead to significant harm as well.
• Healthcare-acquired infections – Infections are a leading killer in hospitals. It is vital that all medical professionals take steps to stop infections from spreading and that they ensure high-risk areas are regularly checked and cleaned (open wounds, recent surgical sites, IV sites, and more).
• Medication mistakes – There are times when a patient receives the wrong medication, the wrong dosage of their correct medication, or does not receive their medication at all. These errors are commonly made when healthcare professionals do not check a patient’s medical history or current charts. Often, a medication is prescribed that contraindicates one the patient is already taking.
• Failure to adequately monitor – When a patient is in the hospital, they should be checked regularly. This includes their vital signs and other precautions for high-risk patients. Failing to do so can result in a deterioration of a patient’s condition.

We are going to help you through this

If you or someone you care about has been injured due to the careless or negligent actions of a healthcare professional, seek legal assistance immediately. At Brown, Moore & Associates, PLLC, we are going to get to work helping you secure the compensation you deserve. This can include:

• Compensation for all medical expenses related to the error
• Coverage of lost wages if you cannot work
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages
• Pain and suffering damages
• Punitive damages against the medical professional responsible

When you need a Charlotte medical malpractice attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 800-948-0577.