Common Malpractice Cases and Outcomes

The Most Common Malpractice Cases

Any patient who seeks medical treatment expects to receive the highest level of care possible. While many medical professionals provide this care without any problems, mistakes are still made all the time. In some cases, these mistakes have life-changing consequences for victims. This article takes a look at the most common types of medical malpractice cases and their outcomes.

Misdiagnosis

Approximately 12 million people are misdiagnosed by their doctors each year. Misdiagnosis is particularly common because a number of medical conditions manifest symptoms that are hard to distinguish from those of other medical conditions. Without an accurate diagnosis, medical professionals are unable to create proper care plans for their patients.

Prescription Errors

Prescription errors occur when a medical professional gives a patient the wrong type or dosage of medication or a patient is not made fully aware of the side effects associated with a medication. When prescription errors occur, doctors and pharmacists should be held responsible for the resulting harm.

Childbirth Errors

A large number of medical malpractice cases are initiated against OBGYNs. These cases involve mothers or newborns who have been harmed by negligent health care providers. Some of the most common birth complications are fetal distress and spinal cord injuries. These malpractice errors are particularly tragic because they often affect infants for the rest of their lives.

Surgical Errors

Surgical errors can include operating on the wrong body part, operating on the wrong person, or leaving a foreign object inside a patient’s body. Some surgical errors occur due to mistakes made by surgeons, but other types of surgical medical malpractice errors include poor preoperative planning.

Anesthesia Errors

If it is administered incorrectly, anesthesia medications can be deadly. While many anesthesia errors occur in operating rooms, they can also occur in either pre-operative or recovery rooms as well as at dental clinics.

Common Outcomes of Medical Malpractice Errors

Research conducted at Johns Hopkins University reveals that the average wait time for compensation from a medical malpractice case is approximately four and a half years. Once cases are settled, however, malpractice victims receive compensation for injuries as well as any equipment necessary for life-prolonging measures. It is difficult to determine the amount that a malpractice victim will receive. Some of the factors that a court will consider include the cost of medical treatment, lost wages, the impact of the injury on a person’s life, and physical pain and suffering. A study conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine found that the average compensation for a medical malpractice claim is a little over $500,000.

Speak with an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney

Each year, the lives of many people are seriously changed as a result of medical malpractice errors. If you or a loved one is harmed by medical malpractice, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney. Contact Ferrara & Gable today to schedule an initial free consultation.