It may surprise you to learn that there are many different types of medical malpractice claims. For example medical errors near Washington, D.C. can include malpractice that occurs during surgery or during pregnancy, for example. It may involve problems with a diagnosis, such as delayed diagnosis, failure to diagnose, or misdiagnosis. Defendants in medical negligence claims may not even necessarily be doctors. Pharmacists, midwives, technologists, nurses, and other providers may be named in a lawsuit.
Pregnancy Malpractice
Pregnancy malpractice can encompass a wide range of medical errors. For example,A a healthcare provider might be held liable for failing to provide proper prenatal care or to recommend appropriate medical tests. Or, a provider may be negligent in failing to properly manage a high-risk pregnancy. Many physician negligence cases arise from problems that occur during labor and delivery. For example, a plaintiff may claim that a doctor inappropriately administered excessive dosages of Pitocin to stimulate contractions. Other claims against a doctor or healthcare provider may include failing to observe and respond to the signs of fetal distress, failing to perform an emergency C-section as indicated, or applying excessive force to the infant during delivery.
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis is another common type of medical malpractice claim. It is human nature to make mistakes and not all mistakes form the basis of a malpractice claim. However, a case of delayed or wrongful diagnosis may be due to malpractice, if the doctor breached the standard of care. For example, a malpractice attorney may demonstrate that the doctor failed to order imaging studies and that any other similarly qualified doctor in comparable circumstances would have done so.
Medication Errors
Medication errors may be the fault of a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. A doctor might prescribe a medication to a patient who is already taking a different drug that will interact with the new drug. Or, the patient may be prescribed an inappropriate dosage. Within the hospital setting, a nurse might administer the wrong drug to a patient. Or, a pharmacist may dispense the wrong medication, such as Flomax instead of Volmax or Serzone instead of Seroquel.
Surgical Errors
Surgical errors may lead to permanent injury or even wrongful death. Surgeons may become careless and make serious errors, such as performing the wrong operation on a patient, operating on the wrong body part, or incorrectly implanting medical devices.
Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.
