What Are Some Common Medical Errors?

Published on November 29, 2022

Medical malpractice has become the third leading cause of death in the U.S, a little-known fact that we should all find shocking. While we like to think we are in safe hands in a medical environment, the truth is that medical errors happen every day, sometimes with life-changing or catastrophic results. When a doctor or medical professional deviates from the diligent and ethical standards of treatment or behavior expected of them, they breach the duty of care they owe their patients.

If you’ve suffered an injury at the hands of those tasked with caring for your health it can have devastating consequences. Victims of these types of life-changing injuries deserve the justice and compensation they’re owed for their damages and losses. A medical malpractice lawyer can file a lawsuit and help you gain the financial compensation you need in order to focus on your recovery.

Contending with Common Medical Mistakes

Some unfortunately common medical mistakes directly impact health, leading to 250,000 deaths per year. Some medical errors cause only mild ill effects, but others lead to serious injuries requiring ongoing medical treatment. Some cause long-term or permanent disability and impairment or death. The most common medical mistakes include:

• Diagnostic mistakes and missed diagnoses, including failing to order the correct tests
• Medication mistakes such as wrong type, wrong dose, medications prescribed that the patient is allergic to or that has an adverse reaction with another medication, and incorrect medication instructions sent home with discharged patients
• Anesthesia mistakes and failure to monitor patients under anesthesia
• Surgical errors such as wrong-site surgery, wrong-patient surgery, and surgical tools or gauze left behind in a body cavity
• Mistakes during labor and delivery such as misuse of vacuum tools and forceps, or failure to perform a timely C-section
• Failing to obtain informed consent with full disclosure of risks and benefits of procedures and medications
• Miscommunication between doctors and medical staff resulting in treatment errors or lack of timely treatment
• Falls due to negligence or improper patient supervision
• Faulty medical device or improper device placement
• Hospital-acquired infections including sepsis and other secondary complications

While mistakes happen, hospitals and other medical environments have strict standards and protocols in place to prevent mistakes. A mistake becomes actionable medical malpractice when it includes 3 elements:

• A doctor/patient relationship is established
• A doctor or medical professional acts or fails to act in a manner that another reasonable and competent doctor in the same position would have acted
• The action or lack of action causes physical harm and emotional and financial damages to a patient

If you or a loved one were harmed by medical malpractice, it’s essential to see another doctor as soon as possible. Explain what happened and ask the doctor to take detailed notes of your symptoms, condition, and prognosis. Then call an attorney to discuss your case and the option of filing a medical malpractice suit. Do not confront the doctor or hospital or demand settlement directly from them. Don’t post on social media. Instead, let your attorney investigate your case, gather evidence, and proceed with legal action on your behalf.

What Can I Gain From a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?

An injury caused by a medical mistake you’ve suffered at the hands of a doctor or other medical professional can have life-altering consequences. You may need ongoing treatment and medications and may miss days of work, have to take a lesser position with fewer responsibilities and lower pay, or be unable to work at all. In the worst cases, you could be left with significant disabilities. A successful medical malpractice suit can help you gain the following compensation and damages:

• Medical expenses and future expenses for upcoming medical treatment related to the injury
• Lost wages and future lost earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of life quality
• Loss of earning potential
• Wrongful death in cases where a loved one’s injury from medical malpractice resulted in their death.

Contact a lawyer experienced in medical malpractice cases as soon as possible after your injury. A skilled attorney can investigate your claim, gather evidence, and work diligently on your behalf to ensure you get the maximum payout for your medical malpractice injury.