Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. today. Sometimes it is clear that medical malpractice has occurred, such as when a surgeon leaves a foreign object inside the patient’s body during an operation. Other times, it is not so clear. Some patients may not even realize that they have been the victim of medical malpractice until years later. This article will cover some common types of medical malpractice. If you suspect that you have suffered worksened health as a result of medical malpractice, it is important to get in contact with a qualified attorney as soon as you realize that something is amiss.
Delayed Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
This type of medical malpractice can be quite insidious. People tend to trust their doctors and often accept their diagnoses - or lack thereof - without question. Healthcare providers may sometimes miss the signs of a serious illness such as cancer, resulting in delayed treatment. Or, a doctor may incorrectly diagnose a condition, resulting in unnecessary treatment or the wrong treatment. A patient may not discover this type of medical malpractice until years later after they have already suffered substantial harm as a result.
Failure to Treat
Doctors nowadays are extremely busy, and sometimes take on more patients than they can safely manage. This increases the risk that patients will be harmed as a result of negligence. A doctor may fail to provide adequate instructions for follow-up care after a hospital visit, release a patient from the hospital too soon or without providing necessary care, or fail to order tests that would have caught a serious condition.
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