Common Types of Medical Malpractice

Doctors and healthcare professionals can make mistakes during treatment. This can lead to potential medical malpractice cases where victims can seek compensation for injuries, disabilities, and losses. Discover common types of medical malpractice.
Misdiagnoses
Misdiagnosis is a type of medical malpractice that occurs if a healthcare provider, such as a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional, does not identify a patient's medical condition accurately or gives the wrong diagnosis. This error in diagnosis can have serious consequences for the patient, potentially leading to delayed or inappropriate treatment, unnecessary surgeries, and, in some cases, even harm or death.
Misdiagnosis can take several forms:
- Missed diagnosis occurs when the healthcare provider fails to recognize a patient's condition altogether. This might result in a patient not receiving any treatment for their actual illness or condition.
- Delayed diagnosis occurs when a healthcare provider eventually identifies the correct condition but does so after a significant delay. This delay can lead to the progression of the disease, making it more difficult to treat, and may reduce the chances of a positive outcome.
- Incorrect diagnosis happens when a healthcare provider diagnoses the patient with the wrong condition. Patients may receive treatments, medications, or surgeries that are unnecessary or even harmful.
Misdiagnosis can have serious consequences for patients. It can lead to physical suffering, emotional distress, financial burdens (due to unnecessary treatments or medical bills), and, in some cases, a worsened prognosis or even death.
Surgical Errors
Surgical errors are a common type of medical malpractice that occurs when healthcare professionals make mistakes during surgical procedures, leading to harm or injury to the patient. These errors can result from a variety of factors and may include the following:
- Wrong-site surgery: This is a particularly egregious error in which a surgeon operates on the wrong part of the patient's body. It may involve the wrong organ, limb, or even the wrong patient altogether.
- Wrong procedure: Surgeons may perform the incorrect surgical procedure, which can have serious consequences. For example, a patient scheduled for an appendectomy may mistakenly undergo a gallbladder removal surgery.
- Surgical instrument errors: Sometimes, surgical instruments may be left inside the patient's body. This can lead to infections, pain, and the need for additional surgeries to remove the foreign objects.
- Anesthesia errors: Anesthesia is a critical part of surgery, and errors in dosage or administration can result in complications, including allergic reactions, respiratory issues, or anesthesia awareness (where the patient regains consciousness during surgery).
Patients who experience surgical errors may suffer physical and emotional harm, require additional medical treatment, and face prolonged recovery periods. In some cases, surgical errors can be life-threatening or result in permanent disabilities.
Injuries at Birth
Injuries at birth can be categorized as a form of medical malpractice when they result from negligence or misconduct by healthcare providers involved in the delivery process.
These birth injuries may encompass a range of conditions and complications, including but not limited to cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, Erb's palsy, facial nerve injuries, fractures, and intracranial hemorrhages.
Cerebral palsy, for instance, is a neurological disorder that can arise due to oxygen deprivation in the baby's brain during childbirth. This deprivation can occur because of improper monitoring of the baby's vital signs or delayed responses to signs of distress.
Brachial plexus injuries, on the other hand, involve damage to the network of nerves controlling arm and hand movements, which can happen if excessive force is exerted during delivery, such as when a healthcare provider applies excessive traction to the baby's arm during a challenging delivery.
Bernstein & Bernstein has excelled in personal injury litigation, safeguarding clients' rights and securing rightful compensation. Our commitment to Southeastern Michigan as both lawyers and residents drives us to protect and nurture our local community. Contact us now for a quote.
