Common Types of Medical Malpractice Cases in Muncie

The professionals of the healthcare industry devote so much of their lives to helping and providing care for people every day. Despite the long hours of being on call and performing exhausting work duties, the majority of the medical workers do the best that they can in trying to provide the best medical care available to you. Unfortunately, there are circumstances where the medical staff we rely on to provide excellent care instead provide substandard care. Treatment below the medical standard of care can have life threatening effects for the patient. Depending on the event, the subpar standard either yourself or a loved one received may be grounds for a medical malpractice case.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice is when a hospital, doctor, or other medical professional causes an injury to a patient by negligence or omission. The negligent action may result in an error of diagnosis, treatment, post care, or heath management. From a study reported by Johns Hopkins University, medical malpractice is now the third leading cause of deaths in the United States. Medical malpractice is something to take seriously. You may want to strongly consider pursuing a medical malpractice claim if you or a loved one has been a victim of negligence.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice

If negligence has occurred, there are four main categories of malpractice cases that negligence can fall under.

Misdiagnosis

Sometimes, it takes several doctor visits, tests, blood work, possible surgeries, etc., before a doctor will give you a specific medical diagnosis. However, a misdiagnosis can still happen as well. Even though you may keep a watchful eye on your health, it’s difficult to know if you are being misdiagnosed unless you are doctor yourself or have a medical background. For the average person, the medical experience is little to none; therefore, if unsure of your diagnosis, seek a second opinion from a medical professional.

Prescribing the Wrong Medication

There’s a slew of things that can go wrong if prescribed the wrong medication. Taking the incorrect prescription or incorrect dosage can lead very easily to additional injuries, illness, and fatalities.

Surgical Mistakes

Surgical procedures carry high risk. Even though your life is in the hands of a skilled medical team, negligence can still occur. In fact, about one third of medical malpractice cases are the direct result of surgical errors. Common mistakes that might occur are:

• Performing the wrong operation
• Not retrieving all surgical instruments in the patient
• Performing surgery on the wrong patient
• Causing damage to the nerves or organs

These are considered to be preventable by the surgeon. The last mistake, causing damage to the nerves or organs, varies more. Sometimes the surgeon cannot prevent further damage based on the type of surgery, the condition of the patient, and undiscovered issues found during surgery.

Childbirth Injuries

Negligence can happen throughout your pregnancy. Whether mother or baby is injured during pregnancy, delivery, or even post-natal care, you may be entitled to compensation if you can prove your suffering is the direct result of medical negligence.

Hire a Muncie Medical Malpractice Attorney

Your health is not something to be taken for granted. Although most doctors are skilled medical professionals you can trust, situations do happen where medical professionals provide substandard care. If you have experienced negligence, consult with an attorney to see if there’s compensation you can receive. The attorneys at Hensley Legal Group are here to offer their seasoned advice. Call or contact us online today for your free consultation.