Our doctors and other healthcare professionals are meant to take care of us. We go to them when we are vulnerable and need help. As such, we expect a certain level of care when we put our health and safety in their hands. Unfortunately, medical errors that lead to a medical malpractice claim happen all too often.
Some physicians even believe that there are inaccuracies in the number of deaths reported due to medical errors. According to a study by Johns Hopkins, after further digging, experts discovered that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S., with around 250,000 deaths occurring each year due to these errors.
As a patient or potential future patient, this can be a scary thought. No one wants to put their life in the hands of their doctor, knowing that an error could be made that could alter their life. This is why it is so important for patients to know their rights and advocate for themselves or ensure they have a trusted loved one advocating for them.
If you suspect you or a loved one is the victim of a medical error, the medical malpractice attorneys at McCoy & Sparks can help. We have represented numerous clients who have suffered from a medical error and understand how stressful and emotional such an experience can be. Our team is dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve.
What Are the Five Most Common Types of Medical Errors that lead to a Medical Malpractice Claim?
There is a lot going on and a lot to keep track of in a hospital or other types of healthcare facilities. Though most medical facilities have standards and protocols to ensure nothing goes wrong, mistakes still happen. Medical errors can occur for many reasons, from miscommunication and distraction to filing errors and a genuine lack of care.
Sometimes, doctors and nurses or other healthcare professionals do genuinely make mistakes, and other times, the errors made are due to negligence and poor judgment. Either way, if an error is made, the patient has the right to pursue legal action to be adequately compensated for their pain and suffering and other damages.
Some of the most common types of medical errors include:
1. Delayed Diagnosis and Misdiagnosis
In some situations, physicians may misdiagnose a patient because they didn’t have enough information or they misunderstood or misinterpreted information or results. In some cases, there may even have been a mixup, and the results might have been from another patient. Unfortunately, this situation can lead to a patient’s condition growing worse and being improperly treated.
In other cases, doctors may even provide a delayed diagnosis, or a condition may go undiagnosed entirely until it is too late. This usually happens when doctors dismiss their patients and do not give them the care and consideration they deserve. Or, again, it could happen due to a lack of information. Either way, a delayed or misdiagnosis can seriously affect a person’s life and health. Unfortunately, these types of errors are all too common.
2. Wrong or Unnecessary Treatment
Medication and treatment errors are also very common. These kinds of errors tend to occur when a physician isn’t giving a patient the care and attention they deserve. When this happens, doctors will prescribe the wrong medication or unnecessary medication. They also may give the patient another type of treatment that isn’t correct or necessary for their condition or ailment. This can also happen as a result of miscommunication or filing errors.
3. Treatment Without Consent
Patients must give their consent before a doctor may treat them, or they must have a guardian or loved one give consent for them. Kentucky law requires healthcare professionals to have informed consent and discussions about procedures, treatments, medically accepted alternatives, and risks and hazards before they can take action or make decisions. However, there are still cases where treatment is given before consent which can result in a medical malpractice case.
4. Lack of Care Post-Treatment
After a patient has received treatment, neglect or lack of care can lead to complications such as infection. Though most healthcare professionals take care to ensure the cleanliness of their facilities, there are cases where facilities that are overwhelmed or understaffed end up neglecting a patient. Unfortunately, if a patient is not properly cared for after a treatment such as surgery, they can easily develop an infection or other post-surgery complications.
5. Complications with Medical Devices
Patients can sometimes have a bad reaction to implants or other medical devices inserted into their bodies to help them recover. A bad reaction or complication that develops can sometimes happen by accident. It can also result from the device being poorly inserted or other negligent actions. This can especially be an issue if a patient is not carefully observed and cared for after the device is inserted.
Trust McCoy & Sparks—Premier Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Central Kentucky
Medical errors are serious and should not be taken lightly. Even if it was an accident, you have a right to speak up and advocate for yourself. This will ensure you get the compensation you deserve for all that you have suffered. However, proving fault and holding healthcare providers accountable is not easy.
Healthcare providers have their own lawyers and insurance teams to protect them against claims and lawsuits due to medical error. So you will need to work with an experienced attorney to build your case to ensure the negligent party is held accountable.
Recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms for over a decade, McCoy & Sparks represents thousands of clients. We are dedicated to providing premium service and delivering superior results.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Make the right call to (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our attorneys today.