When a patient seeks treatment, they have a valid expectation that healthcare providers thoroughly explain foreseeable risks and benefits. When these expectations are not met and a patient suffers harm, they may be the victim of medical malpractice.
Medical errors kill hundreds of thousands of Americans every year and injure many more. Families harmed by these mistakes have a limited window of time to pursue legal action.
Medication Errors
Medication errors, such as prescribing the wrong drug or dosage, can be deadly. Physicians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists must carefully check a patient’s history and any other information available to make sure that they are taking medication that will not interfere with existing health problems or have adverse side effects.
Medication mistakes can also be caused by miscommunication and misunderstanding of the instructions provided with prescriptions, including sound-alike names, improper handling and dispensing, and failure to monitor drug utilization. These mistakes can result in hospital-acquired infections, exacerbate serious medical conditions, and worsen the symptoms of patients already suffering from chronic diseases.
When a medication error leads to injury, a plaintiff must prove that the healthcare provider failed to meet an attainable standard of care and that the harm suffered was the result of that negligence. Our Oregon medical malpractice lawyer works with medical experts to build a strong case that proves the defendant’s responsibility. Our clients are entitled to financial compensation for their losses.
Surgery Errors
Surgical errors are one of the most serious types of medical malpractice. Fortunately, they are also among the most preventable.
Most surgery errors can be traced back to a lack of clear communication in the operating room. A failure to communicate with a patient correctly or to other members of the surgical team may lead to an error, such as administering the wrong medication or operating on the wrong body part. It may also result in mistakes, such as cutting a nerve, leaving a sponge inside the body, or leaving a surgical instrument or appliance behind after the procedure.
Another common cause of surgical errors is fatigue. Whether it is because surgeons and their staff work long shifts or are overworked, fatigue can cause major mistakes during surgery. Failing to sterilize instruments or making an incision in the wrong place can have life-threatening consequences. It can also result in a failure to take an accurate medical history or administer the right amount of anesthesia.
Birth Errors
The birth of a child is a momentous occasion that brings joy and hope to families. But, it is also a time that presents risks and medical complications. Medical negligence and childbirth mistakes are common causes of preventable birth injuries that impact children for their entire lives.
A birth injury can occur before, during or shortly after the birthing process. These can include failing to respond to a baby’s distress, ignoring signs of oxygen deprivation, misusing medical tools and other errors.
When these complications result in birth defects or serious injuries, such as shoulder dystocia, spinal cord damage, brain damage or Erb’s Palsy, parents can seek financial compensation to cover medical treatment costs. A birth injury lawyer can help parents pursue legal justice against the medical professionals responsible for their child’s long-term disability. The goal is to hold medical personnel accountable for their actions and prevent future harm to patients.
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis is one of the most dangerous forms of medical errors. It kills or injures 80,000 people each year, according to a study, more than heart disease and cancer combined.
This type of medical malpractice can include any mistake a physician makes during the diagnosis process. This could include a failed physical examination, incorrect interpretation of test results or not ordering necessary tests. Misdiagnosis can also result from a lack of communication, rushing to get a patient out of the door or confusing similar symptoms.
In order to have a medical malpractice claim, you must prove that your doctor committed a medical error that caused harm. Damages can include the cost of follow-up care, loss of income, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damages for family members in cases where a misdiagnosis leads to a fatal injury. Oregon recently passed a law allowing patients and their families to file notices of medical errors and enter into mediation to avoid lawsuits. The program has met with some resistance from doctors who believe they should not be required to candidly discuss their mistakes with their patients.
