What Are the Medical Errors That Lead to Medical Malpractice Claims

Although doctors, surgeons, and hospitals do their absolute best to avoid medical errors, many still occur. Many will experience some type of medical error, either serious or minor, that will impact their life or the life of a family member. In America and much of the world, fatal medical errors occur more frequently than many people realize. A recent study estimated 250000 people die each year in the U.S. alone due to medical malpractice errors. 

If you or a family member has been injured due to a doctor, surgeon, or hospital’s negligence, there are essential steps you can take to seek closure and compensation. Hold the culpable parties liable with the help of dedicated medical malpractice attorneys. Read on to learn the common medical errors in America that lead victims to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Common Medical Errors That Lead to Medical Malpractice Claims

Below are three of the most common medical errors for which victims file medical malpractice claims. If you have experienced any of these medical errors, it might be time to consider utilizing the services of a medical malpractice attorney. 

1. Surgical Errors 

A large majority of medical malpractice claims arise due to surgical errors. A surgeon could be found negligent after making a mistake a colleague with similar background and experience would not. There are countless horror stories of surgeons operating on the incorrect body part or performing incorrect incisions. Other times a surgeon could be negligent in how he or she takes care of a patient after the surgery. The negligent post-op care has led to many patients contracting infections which can be fatal. Below are a few of the common surgical errors patients have faced in the past. 

• Leaving a medical instrument inside the patient’s body after surgery.
• Damaging various organs during surgery that were otherwise healthy.
• Operating on the wrong patient.
• Conducting an operation under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

1. Errors during Childbirth

There are many different types of birthing errors that can lead to a mother or child becoming injured during childbirth. In some instances, birthing errors have led to the death of the mother or child. Childbirth errors can occur during pregnancy, delivery, or labor. Many mothers have had doctors provide them with negligent care while pregnant, which has led to a baby being born with deformities and other medical conditions. Other mothers have experienced doctors deliver their baby with incorrect tools that harmed the child and the mother. Below are just a few common childbirth injuries.

• A doctor failing to diagnose serious medical conditions like RH incompatibility, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and anemia.
• Failing to identify any congenital disabilities that will affect the child’s chances at life and life expectancy.
• Harming the mother’s life by missing an ectopic pregnancy.
• Ignoring fetal distress signs that leave a child disabled or deceased.

1. Delayed or Misdiagnosis Medical Errors

Sometimes doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other medical personnel can find it challenging to determine what is wrong with a patient. These difficulties or a lack of knowledge can lead to serious medical errors in the form of misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. If this occurs, patients receive no treatment or are given incorrect treatments that do more harm than good. According to estimates, nearly 12 million people who receive outpatient care are susceptible to misdiagnosis yearly in America. Misdiagnosing or giving a delayed diagnosis are common errors that can have a devastating impact on a patient’s life and well-being. 

Medical errors often cause victims pain, suffering, and emotional strain. Identifying if you’ve been the victim of a medical error can allow you to seek the compensation you deserve through a medical malpractice claim. The medical errors we have listed are just a few of the most common; there are many more that fall under the medical error umbrella. It’s best to seek the counsel of a specialized medical malpractice attorney when you want to file a claim, they can assist you with all aspects of your case.