Medical practice is one of the leading causes of death in Illinois and other states in the United States.  While we trust doctors and medical professionals to give us the care and treatment we need, they are also prone to negligence and mistakes. This makes patients suffer life-changing injuries. 

This is why it’s vital to be familiar with the different types of medical malpractices to know what you can do to protect your rights.

Reach out to a medical malpractice attorney if you suspect that you or a loved one have been a victim of negligence in Illinois. Click here to visit Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. and schedule your confidential consultation.

7 Common Types of Medical Malpractice Claims

A doctor, nurse, hospital, or other medical professionals and providers can cause medical negligence. But disappointment or showing a mistake isn’t enough. The patient has to prove that negligence resulted in a specific injury and the mistake fell below the appropriate standard of care. 

There are several forms of medical malpractice that you should know. Here are the most common:

1. Misdiagnosis

Incorrect diagnosis occurs when medical professionals need to interpret the results of a test, order proper tests, or assess the patient’s medical history. So instead of improving, patients could receive ineffective treatment and worsen their conditions.

2. Failure to diagnose and treat

The most common misdiagnosed medical conditions are strokes, heart attacks, and cancer cases. Missed or delayed diagnoses prevent a person from getting the treatment he needs. Some patients are denied treatment because of a lack of insurance coverage. 

3. Surgical errors

Surgical errors are considered “never events” in the medical industry. These are very serious incidents and mistakes that are never meant to occur. Some examples include:

• Surgery on the wrong part of the body
• Performing surgery on the wrong patient
• Leaving surgical instruments in the body
• Surgical errors that lead to infections and complications

4. Anesthesia errors

This happens when medical experts fail to monitor a patient’s vital signs and level of consciousness during surgery. When an anesthesiologist makes this error, the patient may experience severe pain during the procedure or might never regain consciousness. Worst is, this can cause complications like brain injury and death. 

5. Medication errors

Prescribed medications are given to improve a patient’s condition. However, when a patient receives the wrong type or dosage of medication, it can trigger an allergic reaction or serious harm. The doctor who prescribes the wrong medication or the nurse who administers the wrong amount is liable for this error. 

6. Birth injuries and errors

When medical professionals fail to meet the professional standard of care in the childbirth process, it can cause harm to both the mother and the baby. The doctor might fail to handle birth complications competently. Birth malpractice also occurs before childbirth when it involves failure to diagnose a medical condition or a birth defect. 

7. Emergency room mistakes

Diagnostic errors can happen when a patient gets rushed to the ER with a severe condition but may have been misdiagnosed. These malpractices also include:

• Unsanitary ER conditions
• Failure to do appropriate tests
• Failure to look into the patient’s symptoms
• Failure to follow proper procedures

Get The Help You Need

In case you or someone you know has been severely injured or suffered due to medical malpractice, contact a medical malpractice attorney immediately. It’s vital to take steps to seek justice and protect your health and your legal rights.