An attorney understands that when people go to their doctor for care regarding an illness or injury, they expect their condition to get better. But, sometimes the actions of a medical practitioner can cause further harm and may be grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Statistically, almost half a million people pass away prematurely because of harm caused by medical professionals. And perhaps now more than ever, people are starting to see that doctors are capable of making mistakes too, and that it’s crucial to be able to identify the signs of medical malpractice just in case it happens to you or a loved one.
Here are the common signs of medical malpractice to watch out for. If any of these sound true for you or a family member, then we advise meeting with us immediately:
Lack of Informed Consent
Medical procedures usually come with a degree of risk and potential complications. Before providing a treatment, doctors must inform their patients of both the risks and benefits so they can make an informed choice about whether they want to continue with plans to undergo the procedure. If a patient faced complications from a procedure that he or she was not sufficiently informed about, then this could be categorized as lack of informed consent.
An attorney can help victims of medical malpractice file a lawsuit against a hospital or doctor for failing to give adequate information or warnings prior to a medical procedure.
Incorrect Medication Type and/or Dosage
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Medical problems can arise if a medical professional prescribed the wrong medication and/or dosage. A doctor that fails to consider the medications that a patient is currently on, could accidentally prescribe another medication that negatively interactions with them. This error could cause an overdose, seizures, other medical complications, or even death. It is the duty of the doctor to see that the drug being prescribed can help treat the patient’s illness or injury and not cause harm.
As an attorney may explain, a clear sign of medical malpractice is when a doctor prescribes the incorrect medication type or dosage, which then hurts the patient’s health.
Failure to Diagnose
One of the most common instances of medical malpractice is when a patient’s illness goes undiagnosed. When a doctor misses early signs of an illness or dismisses symptoms, the patient may face a worsened condition or even fatality. This can be especially true for diseases that advance aggressively, such as cancer, where early identification and treatment could make the difference between life or death. When a doctor delays in diagnosing such a serious illness, tragedy can result.
Many patients may want to give their doctor the benefit of the doubt when it comes to a medical error. However, it is important to your health and wellbeing to take action when something isn’t right with your care. If you believe this could be true for you or a loved one, then contact a medical malpractice lawyer immediately for prompt legal intervention.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
