4 Common Types of Medical Malpractice Claims in Pennsylvania
December 5, 2017
Medical malpractice occurs when a patient is harmed by medical care or negligence that falls below the prevailing standard of care. While this definition covers a wide range of actions, some types of medical malpractice claims are more common than others.
Here are four of the most common types of medical negligence or malpractice claims:
- Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
A misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can cause harm in multiple ways. A late diagnosis can allow a disease or injury to get worse, causing more damage than it otherwise would or perhaps even proving fatal. A wrong diagnosis can result in a person being treated for a condition they don’t have, which can cause damage, and not being treated for a condition they do have, which can also cause harm.
- Pregnancy and Childbirth-Related Negligence
Misdiagnoses, delayed diagnoses, or other forms of negligence in treatment during pregnancy or childbirth can result in serious injuries to both parent and child. Illnesses like gestational diabetes, if not diagnosed and treated, can cause serious harm, while birth injuries like cerebral palsy or facial nerve palsy can result in permanent disabilities.
- Medication Errors
Prescribing or administering the wrong dose or amount of medication, or failing to account for medications a patient is already taking, can result in severe injuries to the patient. Medication errors may occur when a medication is prescribed, dispensed, or given to a patient.
- Surgical Errors
Errors during surgery may result in serious or even life-threatening problems, such as anesthesia complications or damage being done to an otherwise healthy body part. While surgical errors are less common than other types of errors, they can result in severe injury or even death.
If you’ve been injured in a medical setting and you believe that negligence in your care is to blame, don’t hesitate: contact an experienced Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney. Your lawyer can help you determine what happened and seek the compensation you need and deserve. Call Purchase, George & Murphey P.C. today at (814) 580-5017 or (877) 505-9548 or contact us via our online contact form to learn more.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.