Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient. Common examples include:
- Birth injuries caused by negligence during labor and delivery
Birth injuries occur when medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery results in harm to a newborn. These injuries can be caused by failure to monitor fetal distress, improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction, delayed C-sections, or oxygen deprivation, leading to conditions such as cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy.
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
A misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis happens when a healthcare provider fails to identify a medical condition correctly or in a timely manner, leading to incorrect or delayed treatment. Common misdiagnosed conditions include cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and infections, which, if untreated, can result in severe complications or death.
- Radiology errors
Radiology errors occur when a radiologist misinterprets X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or other imaging results, leading to incorrect diagnoses or missed conditions. These errors can delay essential treatments for conditions such as tumors, fractures, or internal bleeding, causing unnecessary harm to patients.
- Medication errors
Medication errors happen when a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse prescribes, dispenses, or administers the wrong medication or dosage. This can result in severe allergic reactions, overdoses, or ineffective treatment, potentially worsening a patient’s condition.
- Surgical errors
Surgical errors, also called “never events,” include wrong-site surgery, operating on the wrong patient, or leaving surgical tools inside a patient’s body. These preventable mistakes can lead to severe infections, permanent injury, or additional corrective surgeries.
- Emergency errors
Emergency room errors happen when doctors, nurses, or hospital staff fail to provide timely and appropriate care in urgent medical situations. These errors include misdiagnosing life-threatening conditions like heart attacks or strokes, administering incorrect medications, or delaying necessary treatments, which can lead to devastating consequences.
