(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Medical malpractice is a much bigger issue in the United States than many people believe. In fact, in 2016, medical malpractice was the third leading cause of death in the country, and 10% of deaths occur as a result. Each of these deaths could have been prevented if the right precautions and care were implemented. Furthermore, nearly half of all doctors have been involved in at least one medical malpractice lawsuit against them at some point in their careers. Of course, there are likely an even larger number of medical malpractice situations that are never taken to court.
“With such a high amount of medical malpractice occuring, it’s important that Americans understand what they’re up against each time they visit the doctor,” says the Barnes Firm at https://www.thebarnesfirm.com/contact-us/los-angeles-personal-injury-attorney/. “It’s important that you seek second opinions when possible and take legal action if you’ve been wronged.”
Whether you’re due for an important surgery or believe you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice, here’s what you need to know:
Understanding Missed and Missed Diagnoses
As you can see, medical malpractice is fairly common, and there are different types of cases that fall under the medical malpractice umbrella. Determining the current rate for misdiagnosis is difficult, because they aren’t always reported, but experts suggest that the misdiagnosis rate currently sits at 40%, with 10% to 12% of those being fairly serious misdiagnosis. A misdiagnosis is one of the most common types of medical malpractice. This is when a doctor fails to notice (missed diagnosis) or inaccurately defines a medical issue that hurts you in the long-run (misdiagnosis).
For instance, if a doctor fails to accurately notice cancer in scans, you lessen your chances of being able to beat it as the cancer spreads throughout the body. A misdiagnosis is something that wouldn’t have happened if a more competent, attentive doctor were to look at the same charts. In some cases, a misdiagnosis can be fatal.
Many Medical Malpractice Cases Go Unreported
Statistically speaking, every day there are medical malpractices that go unreported. In many cases, this is because doctors fail to properly explain what went wrong, leaving the patient confused about who was at fault. Sometimes, a patient is convinced that if something went wrong, it was a risk inherent with the procedure. And many times, patients don’t feel as though they are in their right to make a lawsuit, considering the hefty amount of paperwork they’d signed. The truth is, many medical malpractices can circumvent the legal documentations you’ve signed. If you feel as though you were neglected, it never hurts to consult with a lawyer, many of whom can wait to accept full payment until the case has been won.
Childbirth Injuries Constitute As Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice cases don’t have to be centered around you: they also extend to your children or anyone under your care. Doctors who fail to recognize issues with a child before or after birth could face a malpractice lawsuit. Similarly, if they fail to take care of them post-birth, this negligence could harm the child.
Mothers can also get hurt during the birthing process, and the chances for error when so many doctors are in the room gets higher. And unfortunately, there are many things that can go wrong. For example, it’s a doctor’s job to notice signs of distress during a lengthy labor; if a doctor were to fail to perform a Caesarean section when needed, a baby could be born with extensive brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.
Medication Complexities
Medical malpractice can involve medication. For example, if your doctor doesn’t take the time to analyze your health history and understand your current situation, they could inadvertently prescribe you medication that has serious adverse reactions to other medications your taken. Or, they might prescribe you medication that’s known for having harsh interaction with certain allergies. And lastly, a doctor that prescribes too-high dosages could face legal action.
Remember, a doctor is responsible for every drug they administer. Though medical malpractice lawsuits can be complex, there are many cases where a patient is able to prove that bad prescription decisions resulted in further complications and health issues.