Paoli Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical professionals are expected to provide quality care, but mistakes can have serious consequences. If you suffered due to medical negligence, Kingbird Legal is here to fight for you. Our Paoli medical malpractice lawyer will work to recover compensation for your medical costs, lost income, and suffering. Call 484-289-4880 today for a free consultation, and let us help you seek justice.

Most Common Types of Medical Malpractice Cases in Pennsylvania

Medical malpractice is a serious issue that can cause significant harm to patients. In Pennsylvania, like in many other states, healthcare providers are expected to deliver a high standard of care. When that standard is not met, patients can suffer from preventable injuries or worsened conditions. These situations often lead to medical malpractice claims. While there are various types of medical malpractice, some claims arise more frequently than others. Understanding the most common causes of these claims can help patients recognize when their rights have been violated and when legal action may be necessary.

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

One of the most common types of medical malpractice claims is related to a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Healthcare professionals, especially doctors, are responsible for diagnosing a patient’s condition accurately and promptly. If they fail to do so, it can lead to significant harm. A misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor identifies the wrong illness or condition, while a delayed diagnosis happens when the correct diagnosis is made, but too late for effective treatment.

Both misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis can result in patients undergoing unnecessary treatments or not receiving the care they need in a timely manner. This could cause the patient’s condition to worsen or even become untreatable. Common examples of misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis include:

Misdiagnosing cancer as a less serious illness, delaying proper treatment.
Failing to diagnose a heart attack or stroke in its early stages.
Delayed diagnosis of infections that could lead to sepsis.

In these cases, patients may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim if the delay or error was a result of negligence or failure to follow established medical protocols.

Surgical Errors

Surgical errors are another frequent cause of medical malpractice claims. These types of errors can occur in various ways, ranging from mistakes made during the procedure itself to complications caused by a failure to follow safety protocols. Some common surgical errors include:

Operating on the wrong body part.
Leaving surgical instruments inside the body.
Nerve damage due to improper technique.
Anesthesia errors, such as administering the wrong dosage.

Surgical errors can have severe, long-lasting consequences. Depending on the nature of the mistake, patients may experience permanent damage, additional surgeries, or a prolonged recovery process. In some cases, surgical errors can even lead to death. If a healthcare provider fails to meet the standard of care during a surgery, they may be liable for malpractice.

Medication Errors

Medication errors are also a common form of medical malpractice. These errors can occur at various stages of a patient’s care, from prescribing the wrong medication to administering the incorrect dosage. Even a small mistake in medication can have serious consequences. Some examples of medication errors include:

Prescribing a medication that interacts negatively with another drug the patient is taking.
Administering an incorrect dosage or the wrong drug entirely.
Failing to monitor the patient for side effects or complications.
Incorrectly labeling prescriptions or medication containers.

Medication errors can lead to a range of health issues, from allergic reactions to life-threatening conditions. If a healthcare professional makes an error in prescribing or administering medication, they may be responsible for any resulting harm.

Birth Injuries

Medical malpractice during childbirth can lead to devastating consequences for both the baby and the mother. Birth injuries are typically caused by errors during labor or delivery, and they can be physical, neurological, or both. Common types of birth injuries that can result in medical malpractice claims include:

Erb’s Palsy: This injury occurs when there is damage to the brachial plexus nerves during delivery, often due to excessive pulling or improper use of forceps.
Cerebral Palsy: In some cases, improper handling during childbirth can cause brain damage, resulting in cerebral palsy.
Failure to monitor fetal distress: If medical staff fail to properly monitor the baby’s condition and fail to respond quickly to signs of distress, this can lead to oxygen deprivation and serious long-term damage.
Improper use of delivery instruments: Errors in the use of forceps or vacuum extraction tools can cause physical injury to the baby.

When birth injuries occur due to negligence, the affected child and their family may have grounds for a malpractice claim. Birth injuries can lead to lifelong disabilities, so it’s essential for families to understand their legal rights in such situations.

Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia is a crucial component of many medical procedures. While anesthesia is generally safe when administered correctly, errors can result in serious complications. Anesthesia errors can occur during surgery, labor, or diagnostic procedures, and they may lead to lasting harm. Some common types of anesthesia errors include:

Administering too much or too little anesthesia, leading to complications like brain damage or even death.
Failing to monitor the patient’s vital signs during anesthesia, which can lead to a lack of oxygen and organ damage.
Allergic reactions to anesthesia that are not identified in time.
Improperly intubating a patient, which can block their airway.

Anesthesia errors can be particularly dangerous because they often go unnoticed by the patient, who is unconscious during the procedure. However, these errors can result in severe complications, including permanent brain damage, paralysis, or death.

Failure to Obtain Informed Consent

Informed consent is a key part of medical ethics and patient rights. Before undergoing a medical procedure or treatment, a patient has the right to be fully informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives. If a healthcare provider fails to properly inform a patient about the potential risks of a procedure or treatment, this can lead to a claim for medical malpractice.

Informed consent issues can arise in various situations, such as:

Failing to explain the potential risks of surgery or medication.
Not informing a patient about alternative treatments or procedures.
Pressuring a patient into a decision without providing adequate information.

If a patient suffers harm because they were not adequately informed about the risks or alternatives to their treatment, they may have grounds for a malpractice claim.

Diagnostic Testing Errors

Diagnostic testing is often a crucial part of the medical process. Whether through blood tests, imaging, or biopsies, accurate diagnostic testing helps doctors make the right decisions about a patient’s treatment. However, errors in diagnostic testing are common and can lead to harmful outcomes.

Lab errors: Mistakes in the processing or interpretation of test results can lead to a false diagnosis.
Radiology errors: Misreading or overlooking X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs can result in missed diagnoses, such as cancer or fractures.
Failure to perform necessary tests: In some cases, a healthcare provider might fail to order tests that are necessary to diagnose a condition.

Diagnostic errors can delay treatment and cause patients to suffer from conditions that could have been managed or treated if caught earlier. These errors often lead to complications or a worsening of the patient’s condition, which can make them eligible for compensation.

Paoli Medical Malpractice Attorney – Fighting for Victims of Negligence

Understanding the most common types of medical malpractice cases is an essential first step toward protecting your rights and holding negligent healthcare providers accountable. If you or a loved one has been affected by medical malpractice in Pennsylvania, it’s important to seek the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer. A skilled attorney can help you navigate the complexities of a medical malpractice claim, investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, and work to secure the compensation you deserve. Kingbird Legal’s Paoli medical malpractice attorney is here to help. Call 484-289-4880 today for a free consultation, and let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.