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February 27th, 2025
Medical malpractice, although unfortunate, can happen more often than you expect. When medical professionals provide substandard care and errors occur, it can lead to serious damage and even fatality. Although medical professionals tend to be highly trained, mistakes can happen. When they do, an attorney could help you get compensation. Read below for an overview of the most common types of medical malpractice and why they matter.
Negligent Practices
The basis of most medical malpractice cases is negligence during treatments. Negligence is the failure to do something with proper care, often resulting in damages or injury. Each patient has personalized needs, and if not treated with the proper standard of care, they can be harmed in the process. Here are the top six reported negligent practices committed by doctors:
One of the most prevalent forms of medical malpractice is misdiagnosis. This occurs when a professional inaccurately diagnoses a medical condition. Misdiagnosis tends to waste valuable time, potentially delaying the correct treatment process, while your symptoms or conditions worsen. In some cases, the opportunity for recovery might be missed altogether.
On the flip side, failure to treat or late treatment occurs when a patient is diagnosed correctly but does not receive proper care. In some cases, medical professionals may dismiss the severity of a case and delay urgent treatments, while others fully disregard a patient’s symptoms and refuse to treat them altogether. Depending on the condition a patient presents with, the delay or dismissal to treat their symptoms may lead to irreversible damage and can even cause fatality.
This type of medical malpractice can be caused by the early discharge of patients, inconsistent or incorrect follow-up care plans, or failure to provide a standard of care for the diagnosis and the condition. When a doctor fails to treat you, it is vital you keep a record of the incorrect treatments or lack of care you have received.
Surgical errors can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
Although doctors are required to inform patients about the risks of their surgery, if a doctor causes a form of harm from the list above, you could be eligible to claim medical malpractice.
Most medical malpractice cases tend to be filed against OB/GYNs. Since this form of negligence happens toward newborns or mothers during a very vulnerable period, damages can often be permanent. Proper prenatal care is vital to keep all parties in good health. This means having close and accurate monitoring during labor to allow quick yet informed decision-making in times of emergencies.
Emergency rooms house high-pressure cases, and life-changing mistakes can happen when time is critical. Negligent practice in an emergency room often occurs due to the consistent pressure and staffing issues. It is important that emergency care providers are properly trained and have updated documentation to reduce the risk of medical malpractice.
Although medical professionals are trained to treat you properly, patients have the right to make decisions about their health care plans. If doctors do not receive informed consent but perform the procedure without it or fail to list all risks and treatment options, they can be charged with medical malpractice. Patients tend to have comfort levels and boundaries, and medical professionals must respect that. If patients feel as though they were inadequately informed, they can take legal action.
Contact an Attorney if You Have Been Affected by Any Kind of Medical Negligence
Knowing the leading causes of medical malpractice lawsuits is important in understanding your rights as a patient. Whether you or a loved one has been harmed by the negligent practices of a medical professional, it is crucial you seek legal help from an experienced medical malpractice attorney.
At Bordas & Bordas, it is our top priority to advocate for our clients’ rights and help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your situation with a member of our legal team.
