Common reasons that people file medical malpractice suits

On occasion, an individual may find it necessary to consider whether to pursue a medical malpractice claim against a physician. It is not an easy decision, but at times a person has no choice but to do so in order to address the financial hardships that a medical mistake has caused. Whether it be from a failure to diagnose, medication errors or other forms of medical malpractice, this is an issue which many people in Maryland and across the country face each year.

One problem that leads to these types of claims is the failure to correctly diagnose a patient’s medical condition. When someone is not diagnosed correctly, it can take a lot longer to figure out what is actually wrong and to receive proper treatment. A delay in treatment can mean longer recovery time, failure to recover completely and even death. Diagnosing cancer quickly, for example, is vital for progressive recovery.

Suffering an injury during treatment is another reason that lawsuits are filed on a patient’s behalf. Sometimes, a patient falls or becomes disabled while in a doctor’s care. Failure to properly treat a patient is also a frequent claim in many medical malpractice lawsuits. Similarly, doctors may be sued when a patient’s care is not adequately documented.

Medication errors is another area of significant concern. At least one person per day dies as a result of this issue, and over three million people in the United States are injured. Sometimes this occurs because a drug is prescribed in error. Other times, the dosage prescribed is incorrect.

For those in Maryland who are considering a medical malpractice claim, a personal injury attorney with experience in this area of the law can help guide them. Anyone who has been injured or suffered the loss of a loved one because of the apparent negligence of a physician may be entitled to legal recourse in civil court. These cases are complex and are often based upon a careful investigation of the patient’s medical records and the testimony of a medical expert. For that reason, it makes sense to consult an attorney concerning a potential claim at the first opportunity.

Source: fiercehealthcare.com, “The top 5 reasons for malpractice lawsuits against doctors“, Joanne Finnegan, May 30, 2017