Signs You May Be a Victim of Medical Malpractice

Despite the amount of trust that is often placed in the capabilities of those within the medical community, the British Medical Journal reports that more than 250,000 die in the United States every year due to medical errors. The number of injuries may be four times as high.

We have to trust doctors for diagnosis because they are the only people legally allowed to do so. But how does a person know if they have been the victim of medical malpractice or medical negligence? What are the most common kinds of medical malpractice? Read on below for an idea of the common types of medical malpractice and the warning signs.

The common kinds of medical malpractice are:

• Improper testing, leading to an incorrect diagnosis or treatment
• Surgical errors, such as operating on the wrong part of the body or leaving medical instruments inside the body
• Medication errors, including giving the patient the wrong medication or an incorrect dose of medicine
• Misdiagnosis, which can result in being given improper medication, improper treatment, and the worsening of a condition
• Anesthesia mistakes, which may include failure to watch a patient’s vital signs accurately, incorrect dosage, and failure to read a patient’s history

Now that we’ve gone over the most common signs of medical negligence or malpractice, we can delve into warning signs that a person might be a victim.

1. Your treatment is not working. This can often be one of the most significant signs of medical malpractice or negligence. This may be a sign that you’ve been misdiagnosed. If you feel like your treatment isn’t working, make sure to speak with your doctor and if possible, get a second opinion.
2. The diagnosis was based solely on lab tests. Every doctor should conduct a thorough examination and ask the patient about their symptoms. If you feel that your diagnosis has been based solely on lab results, ask for a more thorough exam, and to have a different lab analyze the results.
3. The healthcare facility seems understaffed. Understaffing can lead to serious errors, including neglecting a patient and giving the wrong medication. Everyone has the right to a standard of care, and if you feel your health has been compromised as a result of understaffing, you might be a victim of medical negligence.
4. An error was made during surgery. Maybe the doctor mistakenly operated on the wrong part of your body. There may have been a sponge or other surgical instrument left behind, requiring additional surgery. If the hospital tells you additional procedures are necessary, make sure to find out why.

These are just four common signs that you may have been the victim of medical malpractice or neglect. Any time that you feel that your treatment isn’t working or even if you feel like your treatment is too involved for your condition, getting a second opinion is always advisable.