Common Medical Mistakes Resulting In Malpractice
How It Happens, and How To Know If You’re Owed
Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. A study by Johns Hopkins University revealed that over 250,000 people die every year from preventable medical mistakes.
The most common types of medical errors or mistakes are:
- Misdiagnosis: Errors in diagnosis can result in serious injury or death. Often failure to diagnose results from lack of communication, inadequate or improper testing, and understaffing.
- Delayed Diagnosis: Delayed diagnoses happen when a healthcare provider fails to timely access available information about a patient’s condition and take the proper steps.
- Medication Errors: Failure to receive the proper medication, including the proper dosage, can be catastrophic. One of the most common types of medication errors is anesthesia mistakes.
Hospital negligence often occurs as a result of a system failure. When hospital policies and procedures are not strictly followed, medical negligence and mistakes happen and patients suffer injury. Don’t be afraid to ask your medical provider questions. Family members can be very helpful to ensure their loved ones get the attention they deserve.
If you believe you have been a victim of medical negligence it is important to speak with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer. Miller Law Group has over 50 years of experience representing individuals in medical malpractice cases. For a free consultation contact us, or call 919-348-4361.
Medical & Hospital Negligence In North Carolina
We Have The Knowledge To Help You Receive Compensation
Medical negligence in North Carolina is when a healthcare professional commits an act or omission which is outside the accepted standard of care. For example, if a nurse fails to follow a doctor’s order, then the nurse may have committed medical negligence.
For medical negligence to be valid in North Carolina, the element of causation must be established. Meaning, medical negligence must cause harm suffered by the patient. If, for example, a nurse fails to follow a doctor’s order, and the patient is not harmed, then there is not a viable claim for medical negligence. On the other hand, if the patient suffers an injury, then the nurse would be liable for medical negligence.
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers owe a duty of care to their patients and must provide medical services that meet a medical standard of care. The medical standard of care is defined as the level of care that a reasonable and competent healthcare provider, with similar background and medical community, would provide under the same or similar circumstance. Therefore, if a doctor’s actions or inactions fails to meet the minimum standard of care, then that doctor has breached his duty of care to his patient. And, if the doctor’s patient is harmed by the doctor’s breach of the standard of care, then the doctor is liable for medical negligence.
One of the most common types of medical negligence in North Carolina is hospital negligence. Because hospitals are corporations and are run by individuals with little or no medical education, they often make decisions based on financial outcomes instead of what is in the best interest of their patients.
When hospital employees, doctors, nurses, and other medical staff, make mistakes, the hospital may be held responsible. Some of the common medical mistakes include:
- Failure to monitor a patient
- Failure to follow medical orders
- Failure conduct or interpret medical testing
- Failure to communicate with team members
- Failure to follow hospital policies and procedures
- Failure to properly train and supervise medical staff
At The Miller Law Group, We Fight For You
Connect With Us Today To Learn What Our Team Can Do To Help
If you believe you or a loved one has been hurt by medical negligence, it is important to speak with an experienced lawyer. A lawyer with experience representing individuals that are victims or medical negligence will know how to preserve evidence, and will also have expert witnesses to prove your case.
Contact our team of medical malpractice lawyers at Miller Law Group if you believe you or your loved one was impacted by any of the mentioned medical errors or mistakes.
