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One in three clinicians in the country will face at least one claim of medical malpractice in their working life. This statistic gives an idea of how often medical negligence can impact the lives of patients who put their trust in doctors and other healthcare providers.  

Although this form of malpractice can occur whenever a medical provider doesn’t offer the expected and established standard of care, some types of errors are more common than others. Learn about some of the mistakes that could mean you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim.  

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis 

When you visit a medical provider, you are expecting to get fast treatment and an accurate diagnosis of your condition. That’s not always what occurs, however.  

Sometimes, providers fail to order necessary diagnostic tests or don’t check medical histories to get a sense of the patient’s background. All of these errors are avoidable and could lead to a faulty diagnosis. This means that not only do you fail to receive appropriate treatment for your condition, but you can also suffer side effects from unnecessary and wrong treatments.  

A delayed diagnosis occurs when a medical professional takes longer than the standard amount of time to diagnose a condition. The delay must be unreasonable, and it has to result in a worsening of the condition.  

Surgical Errors 

There is always some risk involved in going through surgery. That’s why you sign consent forms. If a medical professional is negligent, however, the harm you can suffer could be avoidable.  

Surgical errors can involve operating on the wrong body part and even on the wrong patient. You can suffer anesthesia errors that can result in a lack of oxygen and lead to brain injuries. It’s also possible for patients to experience pressure ulcers if they aren’t carefully positioned before the procedure and are not shifted during long surgeries.  

If a surgeon or any member of the team leaves a tool inside the patient, that, too, is medical malpractice. The same thing applies if the surgeon damages any other tissues or body parts during the procedure. An example would be nicking a nerve with a scalpel.  

The surgical team must also monitor to ensure that you’re protected from getting burned by powerful surgical lights, tools, or medications during the procedure. You must be securely placed on the table so that you don’t suffer falls.  

Additionally, doctors need to provide appropriate aftercare services for those who have undergone surgery. They must monitor the patient’s vital signs and act quickly if any complications arise.  

Medication Errors 

Your medical provider must give you the right prescription for the medications that you need. This means ensuring that you’re not only taking the right drug but also getting an appropriate dose. If they don’t read your medical file or don’t ask about other medications you’re taking, they can prescribe options that aren’t safe.  

It’s not only your doctor who can make a medication error, however. Nurses in hospitals can administer the wrong drug or dosage, and pharmacists can fill your prescription incorrectly.  

Birth Injuries 

Medical professionals must monitor both the mother and the baby throughout the entire pregnancy and labor. If they don’t address maternal infections or check vital signs regularly, then the fetus or baby can suffer from serious injuries.  

Doctors who delay ordering C-sections place babies in danger of suffering brain damage from a lack of oxygen. If the delivery requires the use of assistive devices, like forceps, then the doctor must use them with care. If they apply too much force, they can cause a variety of injuries that could have been avoided.  

Hospital-Acquired Infections 

Some hospital-acquired infections are preventable. If the care staff doesn’t take steps to ensure they maintain a clean environment, wash their hands, and wear appropriate gear, they can increase the chances of these types of infections.  

Keep in mind that not all infections are the result of malpractice. You may be able to begin legal action if your team didn’t bother to follow protocols to prevent cross-contamination.  

Have You Been Hurt? Ask4Sam 

If you have sustained injuries because of a medical professional’s negligence, then you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim to receive compensation. These are highly complex cases that require presenting expert witness testimonies and proving that you received substandard care. With a team of attorneys, you can fight for your rights.  

At Silberstein & Miklos, we offer the dedicated assistance you need. Contact us to speak with experienced New York lawyers.