Medical errors are shockingly common in the United States. It has been said that preventable medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death, resulting in around 250,000 deaths every year. Beyond the tragic loss of life, medical errors also have a significant financial impact – with preventable medication mistakes alone estimated to cost almost $21 billion annually. When negligence is involved, many patients or their families consider filing a lawsuit for medical malpractice to seek justice and compensation. Here are four types of medical mistakes that frequently lead to malpractice claims.
- Surgical Errors
It is estimated that surgical mistakes occur over 4,000 times per year across the country. This includes surgery performed on the wrong body part, procedures done on the wrong patient, and foreign objects like sponges or instruments left inside patients after operations. Surgical errors can range from fairly minor to catastrophic. For instance, operating on the wrong knee may lead to some unnecessary pain and recovery time. However, removing the wrong kidney or leaving a sharp tool inside a patient’s abdomen can be deadly. Even small surgical errors demonstrate negligence and often lead to malpractice suits.
- Medication Errors
Preventable medication mistakes impact more than 7 million patients annually. This may involve a pharmacist giving the incorrect drug or dose, a nurse administering medication at the wrong time or to the wrong patient, or a practitioner prescribing an inappropriate drug or dosage. Medication errors can result in side effects, complications, prolonged hospitalization, and even death. They are a leading cause of malpractice claims, especially when the prescriber or administrator should have known a medication was inappropriate or contraindicated based on the patient’s chart and medical history. Even small medication errors can indicate dangerous systematic issues.
- Misdiagnosis
Failing to diagnose a condition or incorrectly diagnosing a patient is another common cause for malpractice litigation. A misdiagnosis can prevent a patient from receiving prompt, appropriate treatment. For instance, misdiagnosing early signs of cancer as benign can allow the disease to progress to advanced, potentially fatal stages. Alternatively, incorrectly telling a patient they have cancer when they do not can cause significant emotional distress. While misdiagnoses are not always due to negligence, they frequently lead to lawsuits when they stem from obvious errors or poorly conducted exams.
- Birth Injuries
Finally, preventable birth injuries are another reason why people might file a lawsuit. This may happen when doctors fail to diagnose or respond appropriately to fetal distress during labor and delivery. Birth injuries like Erb’s palsy, facial paralysis, fractures, and cerebral palsy can impair a child for life. When these injuries are avoidable and a result of poor medical care, families may sue for malpractice. Securing compensation can help cover the child’s extensive medical bills, therapies, and other required care.
Preventing Errors is Crucial
Medical mistakes are clearly common, costly, and harmful. While not every error warrants malpractice litigation, preventable errors that stem from negligence often do. This makes error prevention incredibly important for protecting patient health and safety while reducing provider liability.
