Medical Malpractice Examples

• Failure to Diagnose – Patients are often harmed as the result of a doctor’s failure to properly diagnose a condition such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infection, or any other disease that would be less harmful if properly diagnosed and treated. When a healthcare professional negligently fails to diagnose a condition, that condition cannot be properly treated and therefore harms the patient more than it would if properly diagnosed.
• Misdiagnosis/Failure to Treat the Correct Condition – As with a failure to diagnose, patients are also often harmed when a doctor misdiagnoses a condition. As a result of a misdiagnosis, the patient receives treatment for the wrong condition and is not properly treated for the condition that should have been diagnosed. Consequently, the condition actually suffered by the patient is not properly treated and harms the patient more than it would if properly diagnosed.
• Infections caused by Treatment – When a doctor, hospital or other healthcare professional fails to properly monitor, treat, or otherwise care for a patient during or after treatment, an infection may result and cause harm to the patient. Incisions may become infected as a result of insufficient monitoring and care. Medication or other treatment may increase susceptibility to infection. Doctors and other healthcare professionals may fail to warn patients about these issues and the likelihood and consequences of infection. When such an infection causes injury to the patient as a result of a healthcare professional’s negligence, the patient may hold the healthcare professional responsible for medical malpractice.
• Anesthesia, Medication, and Medical Device Errors – Patients may be harmed as a result of improper dosage or administration of anesthesia or medications, as well as improper use of medical devices. When a doctor, hospital or other healthcare professional fails to properly prescribe or administer anesthesia or medication, a patient harmed by the error can often recover compensation for the harm. Similarly, when a healthcare professional’s improper use of a medical device harms a patient, that patient can often recover compensation. Because medication, anesthesia, and medical devices are areas in which accepted dosage amounts, methods of administration, and methods of use are clearly established within the medical profession, any unreasonable deviation from such standards constitutes medical malpractice.
• Misinterpretation of Imaging or Lab Tests – Sometimes patients are harmed as the result of a doctor, hospital or other healthcare professional’s failure to accurately interpret medical imaging, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. Patients may also be harmed by a healthcare professional’s failure to accurately interpret the results of laboratory tests. Both medical imaging and lab tests are crucial parts of the medical profession and the role of healthcare providers in diagnosing and treating patients appropriately. When a doctor, hospital or other healthcare professional fails to properly interpret imaging or lab tests, a patient harmed by such an error can often recover compensation. Medical imaging and laboratory tests are a fundamental part of modern medicine, and methods for interpreting imaging and tests are clearly established within the medical profession. Therefore, any unreasonable deviation from such standards or failure to properly read the results of such imaging and tests constitutes medical malpractice.
• Surgical Error – A surgical error occurs when a surgeon’s failure to adhere to standards commonly accepted in the medical profession causes injury to a patient. Although surgeons do not guarantee results, they are required to exercise the same care commonly accepted as the standard within the medical community. Therefore, failure to remedy a condition or worsening of the condition as a result of surgery may constitute medical malpractice if the surgeon has not exercised sufficient care and used accepted surgical methods.
• Birth Injuries and Birth Defects – A birth injury results from an error in child delivery. A birth defect generally involves harm to a baby prior to delivery. Birth injuries may include injuries to the baby or mother, such as harm resulting from delay of or failure to perform a C-section. Many birth defects occur as a result of failure to adequately assess or respond to conditions and complications during pregnancy or delivery, or as a result of prescription medication during pregnancy.
• Brain Injury – Preventable brain injuries that are caused by a procedure or treatment may constitute medical malpractice. Although doctor, hospital or other healthcare professionals do not guarantee results, they must exercise the same care commonly accepted as the standard within the medical community. Injuries caused by medical procedures or treatment, especially serious injuries such as brain injury, often constitute medical malpractice. Because brain injury is serious, failure to exercise extreme caution in order to avoid brain injury often constitutes medical malpractice.
• Decubitous Ulcers/Bed Sores – Decubitous ulcers, or “bed sores,” are typically caused by pressure or friction when a patient’s body weight traps tissue and skin between the bones and a surface, resulting in poor blood circulation and tissue decay. Because these ulcers are generally preventable, the development of Decubitous ulcers indicates neglect with respect to nutrition, hydration, positioning, infection control, or other similar issues. Therefore, when a patient suffers from Decubitous Ulcers as a result of insufficient care by medical professionals, the harm can often be linked to medical malpractice.

If any of these signs sound familiar to you, don’t delay – call our office today at (215) 543-7187 or (609) 385-4833 or use the form on this page for a FREE consultation. Time is of the essence because the law limits the amount of time allowed for filing a lawsuit. Acting quickly will allow us to obtain the necessary evidence – sometimes preventing it from being destroyed – and help ensure a positive outcome for victims of medical malpractice.

Remember, call our office today at (215) 543-7187 or (609) 385-4833 or use the form on this page for a FREE consultation. Our attorneys will respond promptly.