Types of Medical Malpractice

Atlanta Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional or institution fails to provide the standard level of care expected in the medical field, and a patient is injured as a result. Medical malpractice can be the fault of a doctor, nurse, surgeon, dentist, hospital or another healthcare professional or facility. It can result from the medical professional performing an incorrect or inappropriate action or failing to do something another professional in their field would have done in a similar situation. In other words, medical malpractice in Atlanta can be alleged from an act of commission or omission.

Individuals who suspect their injuries were the result of medical negligence should contact an Atlanta medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. A medical malpractice lawyer in Atlanta can explain your legal rights and pursue a claim for compensation from the negligent doctor or hospital. To find out if you are able to pursue an Atlanta medical malpractice lawsuit, fill out our free case review form. Our Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers will examine your claim, at no cost to you.

Types of Medical Negligence in Atlanta

Because medical malpractice can occur in any field of medicine, various types of medical malpractice exist. Below are some common types of medical malpractice in Atlanta and examples of how patients can be injured from a medical error.

Misdiagnosis: A misdiagnosis can occur in several ways. A doctor can fail to diagnosis a condition, meaning the disease or illness, which should have been noticed by the physician, was missed completely. An incorrect diagnosis of a condition occurs when the doctor gives a patient a wrong diagnosis, leaving the real disease untreated while subjecting the patient to harmful and unnecessary treatments. Lastly, a delayed diagnosis occurs when the doctor fails to diagnosis a condition in a timely fashion, resulting in complications for the patient. These can all be termed a bad diagnosis in an Atlanta medical malpractice claim.

Emergency room errors: Emergency rooms can be busy and hectic places where doctors, nurses and paramedics attempt to treat seriously ill patients. Despite the chaotic work environment, the hospital staff still has a duty to meet the standard of care expected of all medical professionals. When medical care falls below this level of care, emergency room malpractice can occur. Common types of emergency room errors include delayed treatment or diagnosis of a serious illness; failure to monitor a patient; medication errors; lab errors; and failure to see or treat a patient in a timely fashion.

Surgical errors: While surgical complications are common, especially in high-risk patients, surgical errors often occur when the surgeon acts negligently. Common examples of surgical malpractice in Atlanta include performing wrong site surgery; using unsterilized equipment; and leaving surgical tools inside the body.

Anesthesia errors: When an anesthesiologist negligently makes an error during surgery, the patient can experience intense pain, brain damage, post-traumatic stress disorder or other serious consequences, including death. Anesthesia malpractice can be caused by poor monitoring of the patient; failure to refill the anesthetic machine’s vaporizers; inadequate training; machine misuse; inappropriate drug dosing; or machine malfunction.

Medication errors (Prescription mistakes): Injuries resulting from medication errors are generally avoidable. Doctors, pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies each have respective duties regarding the distribution of prescription medications. Each of these parties can be held accountable if a negligent prescription error leads to an injury. Common medication errors in Atlanta include supplying an incorrect dosage; using experimental medicine without consent; prescribing, based on either the patient’s medical history or condition, inappropriate medication; administering the wrong medication; and prescribing multiple medications which should not be combined.

Birth injuries: Obstetrical errors can lead to birth injuries which can result in long-term disabilities or even infant death. Common types of birth injuries include cerebral palsy, erb’s palsy, brachial plexus palsy, infections and stillbirths. While some Atlanta birth injuries cannot be prevented, others result from improper use of forceps; failure to monitor or respond to fetal distress; and failure to perform a Cesarean section in a timely fashion.

Medical malpractice does not just apply to general physicians and hospital malpractice. Other forms of medical malpractice in Atlanta can include dental malpractice; psychiatric malpractice; OB/GYN malpractice; cosmetic surgery malpractice; radiology malpractice; and cardiology malpractice.

Atlanta Medical Negligence Lawyers

If you have been injured by a doctor, hospital or other healthcare professional or facility, contact our Atlanta medical malpractice attorneys today. We understand how to negotiate with doctors and hospitals and understand common defenses they use in the courtroom. Our Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers have successfully resolved countless medical negligence lawsuits, many of which involved serious injuries and even death. If you suspect your injuries resulted from medical malpractice, contact us today by filling out our free case review form. Our medical malpractice lawyers in Atlanta will evaluate your claim, at no cost to you.