Medical Errors In Medical Malpractice Claims – What You Need To Know

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 39 million people visit the emergency room each year due to injury-related visits. Although the United States has an advanced medical system allowing millions of Americans to receive adequate medical care, there is still an alarming number of patients who fall victim to medical errors that are sometimes fatal. Although these errors arise, many are often preventable.

​​Prevalence Of Medical Errors

​​A recent study conducted by John Hopkins reports that more than 250,000 people in the U.S die each year from medical errors. In fact, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, which is 10% of all deaths annually. The 2016 U.S. patient-care study explored death-rate data for eight consecutive years. The data showed that based on a total of 35,416,020 hospitalizations, there was an incidence rate of 251,454 deaths per year – or about 10 percent of all deaths – that stemmed from medical error.

​Medical Errors – Why Do They Occur

​Medical errors occur for a variety of reasons. Study authors list of reasons such as inadequately skilled staff, error in judgment or care, system defects or preventable adverse effects. These types of errors include computer breakdowns, undiagnosed surgical complications, and mix-ups with doses or medications administered to patients.

​The recent study on fatal medical errors shows the importance and severity of the issue. Many organizations and institutions are working together to advocate for better training and improved technology to increase patient safety and help both health care providers and patients to have a better understanding of just how serious and important this issue is.

Types Of Medical Negligence Commonly Seen In Atlanta And The Surrounding Region

Medical negligence encompasses a variety of situations where health care professionals fail to provide the standard of care expected, leading to patient harm. Here are specific examples and definitions that can help potential clients identify if their experience may constitute medical malpractice:

• Surgical errors: These occur when a surgeon makes mistakes during a procedure, such as operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, or causing damage to surrounding tissues or organs. Surgical errors can lead to severe complications, infections and, sometimes, the need for additional surgeries.
• Misdiagnosis: Misdiagnosis happens when a health care professional incorrectly identifies a patient’s condition, leading to improper treatment. This can result in unnecessary procedures or treatments, worsening the patient’s health, or delayed proper treatment for the actual condition.
• Delayed diagnosis: Similar to misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis refers to the failure to diagnose a condition in a timely manner, causing a delay in receiving appropriate treatment. This can be particularly harmful in conditions that require immediate intervention, such as cancer or heart disease.
• Medication errors: These include prescribing the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or failure to consider potential drug interactions. Medication errors can lead to adverse drug reactions, worsening of the condition, or new health issues.
• Childbirth injuries: Medical negligence during childbirth can result in injuries to both the mother and the child. Examples include failure to monitor fetal distress, improper use of delivery instruments, or failure to perform a necessary C-section, leading to conditions like cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy.
• Failure to treat: This occurs when a health care provider accurately diagnoses a condition but fails to provide the appropriate treatment. It can result in the progression of the disease and preventable complications.

An injury sustained due to an error by a medical professional can often have significant short-term and long-term impacts on the health of an individual, and receiving compensation can be the only respite in helping them recover quicker, without worrying about their financial situations.

Common Medical Error Scenarios

Medical errors can occur in various settings, and understanding common scenarios can help potential clients determine if they might have experienced medical malpractice:

• During surgery: Operating rooms are high-risk environments for errors due to the complexity of procedures and the number of people involved. Common errors include wrong-site surgery, anesthesia complications and postoperative infections.
• In emergency rooms: The fast-paced environment of emergency rooms can lead to misdiagnosis, medication errors and inadequate patient monitoring. Errors in triage, where patients are not prioritized correctly, can also lead to significant harm.
• With medication administration: Medication errors are prevalent in hospitals and clinics. They can occur during prescribing, dispensing or administering medications. Common scenarios include administering medication to the wrong patient, incorrect dosage and overlooking allergies or drug interactions.

These scenarios are more common than most might think, and holding medical professionals accountable for their negligent or reckless actions is paramount to ensuring that clients get the peace of mind they deserve.

​Contact The Olson Law Firm, LLC, Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

​Attorney Erik Olson fights for victims of medical malpractice across Georgia and strongly believes in obtaining justice for the families who have suffered because of substandard care by doctors, nurses and hospitals. Whether a health care provider caused you to suffer a serious illness, a disability, the loss of a loved one or the need for additional surgeries, we can help you.

​If you would like to schedule a free consultation to speak with an Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer about your situation, contact The Olson Law Firm today by calling 404-448-2806.