Health care providers in Virginia can make mistakes that lead to serious injuries for patients. Sometimes medical errors occur due to miscommunication, and sometimes they are caused by blatant negligence. Here are some of the most common reasons for medical malpractice claims:
Infections
You’re not alone if you were told nothing about the risk of infection during your hospital stay. Only 17% of hospital workers inform their non-infected patients about the risk of infection. However, deadly infections from pathogens like methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, are prevalent at hospitals.
Medication mistakes
Medication mistakes are one of the top reasons for wrongful death medical malpractice claims in the U.S. Every year, between seven and nine thousand people, die because of a mistake that was made with their prescription medication. Medications can be mixed up, but the most common mistake is an error in dosage.
Childbirth
Doctor errors that are committed during childbirth are a common reason for medical malpractice claims. In many cases, newborn babies are injured due to a doctor’s failure to perform a necessary C-section in time. Newborns are also injured frequently by the improper use of delivery instruments. Negligent care of the mother during childbirth can also lead to injuries.
Misdiagnoses and delayed diagnoses
Misdiagnosis and a delayed diagnosis can be devastating for patients in the emergency room. When a patient is having a sudden medical emergency like a stroke, a doctor’s failure to diagnose the condition correctly can hurt the patient’s chance of recovery.
When is a doctor liable for mistakes?
Doctors are liable for medical errors they commit, but not for all negative outcomes. For example, some surgeries have known risks. A doctor would not be liable for complications in surgery as long as the procedure was performed correctly. However, if a doctor makes a mistake during the surgery that leads to harm, the doctor could be liable.