Medical malpractice is when a preventable medical mistake occurs and harms a patient in some way. Unfortunately, it is incredibly common and often leads to lawsuits where negligence needs to be proven. A case will typically result in a patient receiving compensation for the harm they might have suffered, if all is proven in the court of law. That is why medical malpractice is important for anyone to understand when it might happen.

Continue reading to find out the most common types of medical malpractice.

Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor examines a patient but fails to diagnose the right illness or says they don’t have one at all. This can prevent a patient from getting the treatment they need, which is why misdiagnosis is considered to be a form of medical malpractice.

Birth Injury

There are also instances when an injury may take place during birth to a newborn or the mother due to inadequate care from the obstetrician. If the injuries were preventable, then a birth injury can be a case of medical malpractice.

Medication Error

Another one of the most common types of medical malpractice is when a medical professional prescribes or provides someone with the wrong type of medication. This can be harmful because it can cause further health complications instead of providing the patient with the treatment that they need. This is why medication error is considered medical malpractice.

Surgical Error

Errors can also occur during surgery; several instances like wrong-site surgery, nerve and organ damage, and other surgical errors that can be classified as medical malpractice. A surgical error is when more problems for one’s health occur due to an error from a health professional.

When medical malpractice occurs, it very rarely ever goes to trial and what usually happens is an agreement of compensation that will be made. Compensation for medical malpractice can cover the cost of medical expenses and other damages that might have occurred.

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