Medical Malpractice: Medical Errors

Medical malpractice is the failure to provide accurate treatment. This can occur though a variety of different forms of Medical Errors such as delayed medical treatment, misdiagnose or the failure to diagnose a serious health problem. Doctors must meet a certain level of medical standards based on their position. When under review, their actions are compared to those in similar positions. A family physician cannot fairly be compared to an ER doctor, because they are trained differently, and therefore react to a different standard duty of care when presented with similar circumstances.

Medical Negligence

Negligence is the failure to offer a duty of care resulting in serious harm to a patient. Negligence may occur, if healthcare professionals fail to do what is otherwise known as offering a reasonable standard of care. Some examples of medical negligence include unnecessary surgery, failure to recognize symptom, prescription drug errors, failure to act, hospital acquired infections, failure to diagnose, and various other forms of gross and wanton neglect.

Medical Misdiagnosis

Medical misdiagnosis occurs because of the mistakes of medical professionals, as well as the failure of medical equipment. Misreading a patient's test results is an example of a misdiagnosis. Another problem with misdiagnosis is that doctors may now actively seek to treat the misdiagnosed condition, while introducing harmful and unnecessary drugs into a patient’s body and still not rectifying the true medical issue at hand.

• Failure to Diagnose - Includes delayed diagnosis, missed symptoms and making a determination that does not allow early treatment for serious medical conditions. Symptoms are often overlooked and patient's complaints are ignored or discounted.
• Delayed Diagnosis - Includes no diagnosis and wrong diagnosis. Delayed diagnosis is dangerous because it is important to catch signs and symptoms of serious illnesses early to begin treatment. Early intervention can save lives when it comes to cancer, liver disease and other serious health problems.

Filing a Complaint

Filing a complaint against a doctor is one way to help future patients avoid medical malpractice negligence and medical errors. The first step in filing a complaint is to contact the doctor's office and make them aware of the problem. Then, ask for a copy of your medical records and their notes regarding your health. A full description of the incident must be documented and sent to the state medical board. The board will review your statements and decide if an investigation is necessary. The outcome of any investigation by the state medical board then becomes public record.

Lawyers for Medical Errors

It is advisable to consult with a Medical Malpractice Lawyer as soon as you feel that you have been a victim of Medical Malpractice, negligence, or patient treatment errors. There are Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations that vary by state which will dictate the time limit you have to file a claim. Often, Medical Malpractice victims do not take action until years later until they truly realize the full impact and significance of the injuries resulting from Medical Treatment Errors. Submit your case online for a Free Review from a Medical Malpractice Attorney in your area and be aware of your legal rights.