Everyone wants to feel safe when they go to the doctor. Though most health care providers do their best, medical malpractice still happens in Pennsylvania and across the country. There are several common types of medical errors.
Misdiagnosis
If a doctor diagnoses a patient incorrectly, leading to injury, it might be a case of medical malpractice. There can be multiple causes when doctors misdiagnose people. Here are a few:
- Not listening to a patient
- Not believing a patient
- Failing to perform necessary tests
- Ignoring a patient’s medical history
Medical neglect
Some health care providers fail to treat patients who need help. A doctor might ignore or misinterpret a patient’s symptoms. For instance, if a doctor diagnoses someone with a panic attack when the patient is having a heart attack, the patient might not receive the necessary treatment in time.
Incorrect treatment
If a doctor ignores accepted treatment protocols, things can go wrong. Sometimes, a doctor might delay necessary treatment, choose a contraindicated treatment or disregard medical guidelines.
Lack of prevention
Preventative care is one of the most critical facets of medicine. If a doctor sees a potential problem but fails to address it, that might count as malpractice.
Prescription errors
Prescription mistakes are a common problem. They include the following errors:
- Incorrect dosage
- Dangerous interactions with other medications
- Unnecessary medications
- Medicines to which the patient is allergic
- Incorrect drugs
Surgical mistakes
Surgical errors are devastating. Sometimes, a doctor might perform an unnecessary procedure. In extreme cases, a surgeon could leave surgical instruments inside the patient or perform surgery on the wrong person. Some doctors have even injured patients by performing procedures while intoxicated.
Attorneys with experience in medical malpractice law have likely seen many types of doctor errors. If medical mistakes have injured you, you might benefit from contacting an attorney about pursuing compensation.
