Medical malpractice is widely misunderstood. Those eligible to pursue a case often lack the necessary understanding to do so as a result. Malpractice applies to many different areas of the medical industry, and it is important to be familiar with the basics.
If you or a loved one has experienced errors in medical care, you may wonder if it qualifies as malpractice.
Medical mistakes come in many forms
Medical care provider relationships require a level of trust. Along with that trust, you should understand the potential risks.
- Medication errors, such as incorrect prescriptions, improper dosing, incorrect administration or medication conflicts
- Treatment mistakes, including recommending the wrong treatment or dismissing the industry-standard treatment
- Misdiagnosis issues, particularly when any reasonable care provider would have made the diagnosis given the same information
There are nuances to each of these situations. Medical malpractice lawyers can help with the finer points.
Surgical mistakes are serious
Mistakes during surgery can be life-or-death situations. Whether the surgeon performs the wrong procedure or makes a negligent mistake during surgery, these are serious concerns. Another common surgical mistake involves leaving surgical supplies, such as sponges, in the incision site after surgery. This can lead to complications such as infection.
Privacy breaches may violate the law
Medical care providers are bound by patient privacy laws, including HIPAA. Blatant disclosure of private medical information or discussions in public environments may be malpractice.
Understanding common instances of medical malpractice can help you recognize when it happens to you or one of your family members.