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Anyone seeking care from a medical professional has the right to expect their treatment will not leave them worse off than where they began. Unfortunately, the reality is that Indiana patients sometimes suffer harm when doctors, nurses, hospitals, or other medical providers fail to meet the accepted standard of care. When this happens, a patient could have the right to file a medical malpractice claim. Understanding which forms of medical malpractice occur most often can help you recognize whether you can seek compensation for your losses.
Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis
Failure to promptly and accurately diagnose a condition or illness is one of the top reasons that around 17,000 patients file medical malpractice claims annually in the United States. Medical malpractice misdiagnosis can lead to delays in essential treatments. Alternatively, mistaking one disease or condition for another can lead to expensive, unnecessary treatments that do more harm than good. Patients in either situation may suffer preventable complications, permanent injury, or death.
Surgical Errors
Most patients recognize that any surgery comes with risks. However, those risks should not include negligence by a surgeon. Surgical errors in malpractice include:
- Operating on the wrong body part
- Leaving foreign objects inside the body after surgery
- Nicking blood vessels or organs
- Anesthesia errors
- Preventable infections
- Failing to timely recognize a surgical complication
Medication Mistakes
When doctors or nurses administer the wrong drug or dose or improperly prescribe medications, it can lead to devastating medication errors. Children and older adults are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of drug errors. You could have grounds for a medication mistake lawsuit if you or your child experienced complications from taking the wrong drug.
Birth Injuries
Preventable birth injuries like brain injuries, broken bones, nerve damage, and other infant harm can occur when providers fail to meet the standard of care during labor and delivery. Many of these medical mistakes can result in lifelong disabilities. A Indianapolis birth injury medical negligence lawyer can review your case to see if you have a claim.
Anesthesia Errors
Improper administration of anesthesia, either too much or too little, can result in brain damage, organ failure, paralysis, cardiac arrest, and other serious harm during surgery. Mothers and babies are also in harm’s way if anesthesia errors occur during labor and delivery.
Prescription Drug Errors
Pharmacists who fill prescriptions with the wrong medications or doses can put patients at serious risk. Prescribing contraindicated drugs and failing to warn of side effects can also lead to life-threatening complications.
How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Indiana Can Help You
If you believe you have a claim based on one of these common types of medical malpractice or another negligent act by a medical provider, you need a legal representative to fight for your rights. The attorneys at the Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson have extensive experience representing clients injured by medical negligence in Indiana. We handle all types of malpractice claims. We will investigate your case, demonstrate how the standard of care was breached, and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation with a trusted medical malpractice lawyer.
