10 Common Causes of Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

When seeking medical care, we trust doctors, nurses, and hospitals to provide safe, professional treatment. Most of the time, that trust is well placed. But mistakes can and do happen. When these mistakes cause serious harm, it leaves patients wondering if it qualifies as medical malpractice.

It's important to remember: not every bad outcome is malpractice. Medical complications can arise even with proper care. However, there are a few common situations that often lead patients or families to consider filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. Being aware of these reasons can provide the basic groundwork for understanding what medical malpractice lawsuits actually are.

1. Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

One of the leading causes of malpractice claims is when an illness is overlooked or discovered too late. A delayed cancer diagnosis, for example, can drastically change a patient’s outcome.

2. Surgical Errors

Mistakes in the operating room such as: performing the wrong procedure, leaving tools inside a patient, or injuring nearby organs are serious and preventable.

3. Medication Errors

Medication mix-ups happen more often than many realize. Prescribing the wrong drug, giving the wrong dosage, or failing to catch allergies or drug interactions can have dangerous results.

4. Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia requires precise dosing and careful monitoring. Too much, too little, or ignoring a patient’s medical history can result in devastating injuries.

5. Birth Injuries

Negligence during labor or delivery such as: improper use of forceps, failure to monitor oxygen, or not ordering a C-section in time can harm both mother and child.

6. Failure to Treat

Sometimes a doctor diagnoses a condition but doesn’t provide proper care. Sending a patient home too early or skipping standard treatment protocols may fall into this category.

7. Hospital or Nursing Errors

Hospitals and nursing staff play a vital role in patient safety. Understaffing, poor hygiene, or mismanaged records can lead to infections, injuries, or worsening conditions.

8. Lack of Informed Consent

Before treatment, patients have the right to understand risks, alternatives, and possible outcomes. Without proper informed consent, a procedure may leave patients feeling blindsided.

9. Improper Aftercare

Care doesn’t end when the procedure is over. Missed follow-up appointments, poor wound management, or lack of post-surgery monitoring, on the medical staff's end, can cause preventable harm.

10. Faulty or Defective Medical Equipment

Sometimes harm comes not from the provider, but from defective or poorly maintained medical devices. In these cases, multiple parties may be responsible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice

• What qualifies as medical malpractice?

  • Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional’s mistake falls below the accepted standard of care and causes harm.

• Can you sue for a medical misdiagnosis?

  • Misdiagnosis is one of the most common reasons for malpractice lawsuits, especially if it delays proper treatment.

• What is the difference between medical negligence and malpractice?

  • Negligence is a medical error, while malpractice typically means that error caused harm to the patient.

In Summary...

Medical malpractice law can be complicated and stressful to navigate. At Shay & Associates Law Firm, LLC, we have the resources, knowledge, and experience to guide you through the intricacies of your case. Our lawyers will fight aggressively so that you can receive the compensation you deserve.

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If you are a victim of medical malpractice, you’ve already suffered enough. Let us help you recover your losses. Call our offices in Decatur at 217-425-5900 or in Springfield at 217-523-5900 to schedule a consultation today.