Understanding the most common medical malpractice claims helps you recognize whether you or someone you love was affected by a healthcare professional’s negligence. Medical malpractice boils down to this legal concept of negligence. However, it’s not always easy to prove.
As the third leading cause of death in the United States, medical malpractice is a serious occurrence. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are required to give reasonably skilled care. When they don’t, it could cause serious illness, infections, disabilities, and even death. The Ken Nunn Law Office is ready to talk to you at any time of the day or night about your medical malpractice case. Case reviews are free. Let us help you understand your potential rights.
Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis
A misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis doesn’t always amount to medical malpractice. However, it is one of the most common medical malpractice claims. Generally, the misdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis results in a deadly situation or a medical problem that results in permanent consequences.
For adults, this could be a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis related to cancer, heart attacks, or strokes. The most common misdiagnosed or delayed diagnosis in children is meningitis. All of these conditions can result in serious and permanent injuries.
Injuries During the Birthing Process
In the realm of childbirth, several injuries to both the mother and child can lead to potential malpractice claims due to the severe consequences they entail.
Injuries to a Mother During Childbirth
Some medical conditions are unavoidable during child birth, however, the type of treatment or lack of treatment can lead to a medical malpractice claim.
- Postpartum hemorrhage is one of the most significant injuries for mothers. It is a condition where severe bleeding occurs after delivery. This life-threatening situation often arises from the uterus not contracting properly, tearing, or retaining the placenta. If not promptly addressed, it can result in substantial blood loss and shock.
- Uterine rupture is another critical injury, particularly in women with a history of C-sections or uterine surgery. This rare but severe condition involves the uterus tearing during labor, which can lead to massive hemorrhage and require emergency intervention.
- Infections such as endometritis, caused by improper sterilization during delivery or prolonged membrane rupture, can also lead to serious health complications if not diagnosed and treated swiftly.
Injuries to a Baby During Childbirth
- Birth asphyxia can lead to long-term neurological damage to the child or even death. This condition occurs when the baby does not receive enough oxygen before, during, or immediately after birth. If medical professionals fail to monitor and address signs of fetal distress, the consequences can be dire and lead to a medical malpractice claim.
- Cerebral palsy is another serious injury, constituting a group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone, often caused by damage to the developing brain during pregnancy, birth, or shortly after. This condition can be attributed to medical negligence if, for instance, there were signs of distress that were not acted upon promptly.
Medication Errors
Another common medical malpractice claim arises from medication errors which can happen in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities because of mistakes made by a doctor. Most often, medication errors happen to people who are over the age of 60. Dosage errors are common as well as filling or administering the wrong medication.
Surgical Errors
Although most surgical errors are not life-threatening, they can still result in the need for additional surgery, pain, and nerve damage. Serious surgical errors can result in death, though, they are often preventable with proper communication between the medical professionals involved.
Errors with Anesthesia
Errors that take place during the anesthesia process can be deadly. These errors often happen when the anesthesiologist doesn’t thoroughly read the patient’s medical records and prescribes something that causes an allergic reaction. It could also be caused by administering too much or not enough anesthesia, or failure to monitor vital signs.
Get a Free Case Review With a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Indianapolis
Proving Medical malpractice requires expert witnesses in the medical industry who would be considered a peer of the doctor or nurse who treated you. This is important because doctors and nurses often specialize in a certain area. Even nursing assistants and surgical techs often get specialized training in certain areas. Having the right experts to review your medical records and understand the standard of care for your particular condition can be a critical part of your claim.
If you or someone you love was hurt because of a medical error don’t go at it alone. Get an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Indianapolis: Ken Nunn. The Ken Nunn Law Office provides free case evaluations to help you learn about your potential rights. To learn more about medical malpractice and to schedule your free case review, contact us now!
