Common Types of Medical Malpractice in Tampa

common-types-of-medical-malpractice

Medical malpractice is a serious issue that can lead to devastating consequences. Unfortunately, medical malpractice happens more frequently than most people realize. In the Tampa area, many different types of medical malpractice occur regularly.

This blog article will look at some of the most prevalent medical negligence in Tampa and how you may avoid being a victim. You'll learn everything from misdiagnosis to surgical errors and more, so you can be sure that you're taking the necessary steps to ensure your health and safety.

Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis

Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis are two of the most common types of medical malpractice in Tampa. Misdiagnosis can occur when a doctor fails to correctly diagnose a patient's condition, resulting in the wrong treatment being given.

This can harm patients, as improper treatment may worsen their condition. Delayed diagnosis occurs when a doctor needs to diagnose a condition promptly, resulting in the patient's condition deteriorating before they receive treatment.

This can also damage patients, as their condition may become more severe or life-threatening. If either misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis has harmed you, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim against the responsible doctor or hospital.

Surgical errors

Most people think of medical malpractice as something that happens when a doctor makes a mistake and someone is injured. However, there are many types of medical malpractice, and surgical errors are among the most common.

Surgical errors can happen in a variety of ways. A surgeon may operate on the wrong body part, incision in the wrong place, or leave a foreign object inside the patient's body. In some cases, surgeons have even operated on the wrong patient.

These mistakes can have devastating consequences for patients. If a surgical error has injured you or a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A competent medical malpractice attorney can explain your rights and choices to you.

Medication errors

Medication errors are one of the most common types of medical malpractice. They can occur in various ways, from prescribing the wrong medication to giving the wrong dosage. Sometimes, patients may be issued a prescription they are allergic to.

Medication errors can have severe or even fatal consequences. You may be entitled to compensation if a medication error has harmed you or a loved one. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can review your case and help you understand your options.

Birth injuries

Many different types of birth injuries can occur during the birthing process. Some of the most common include cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, and shoulder dystocia. These injuries can occur due to various factors, including medical negligence.

If you believe your child's birth injury was caused by medical malpractice, it is essential to speak with an experienced Tampa medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.

Cerebral palsy is a type of birth injury that various factors, including medical negligence, can cause. This condition occurs when there is damage to the brain during the birthing process.

Symptoms of cerebral palsy can include muscle weakness, involuntary movements, and problems with coordination and balance.

Erb's palsy is another type of birth injury that can be caused by medical negligence. This condition occurs when there is damage to the nerves in the shoulder area during the birthing process. Symptoms of Erb's palsy include:

  • Paralysis or weakness in the affected arm.
  • Loss of sensation in the affected arm.
  • Problems with movement in the affected arm.

Shoulder dystocia is a birth injury in which the baby's shoulder gets trapped behind the mother's pubic bone during delivery. Shoulder dystocia can be a severe condition that can result in severe injuries to the mother and child if not handled.

Anesthesia mistakes

Anesthesia is one of the most critical aspects of any surgery, and even a tiny mistake can have devastating consequences. Some common anesthesia mistakes include:

  • Administering too much or too little anesthesia. This can lead to the patient feeling pain during surgery or not waking up afterward.
  • Failing to monitor the patient's vital signs during surgery. This can lead to complications such as brain damage or even death.
  • Making an incision in the wrong area. This can result in severe injury or even death.
  • Leaving foreign objects inside the patient's body after surgery. This can cause infection, pain, and other serious complications.

Failure to obtain informed consent

If a doctor fails to obtain informed consent from a patient before performing a medical procedure, it may be considered medical malpractice. Informed consent means that the patient has been given all of the information about the risks and benefits of the process and has had time to ask questions and receive answers.

If the doctor does not obtain an informed consent or the patient is not given enough information to make an informed decision, it may be considered medical malpractice.

Negligent post-operative care

Negligent post-operative care is one of Tampa's most common types of medical malpractice. This malpractice can occur when a surgeon or other medical professional fails to care for a patient properly after surgery.

Negligent post-operative care can lead to severe complications, including infection, organ damage, and even death. Assume you or a loved one was the victim of poor post-operative treatment. In that case, you must contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney who can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Failure to diagnose cancer

One of the most devastating types of medical malpractice is a failure to diagnose cancer. Cancer is a disease that is notoriously difficult to diagnose early, and even a delay of a few weeks or months can make a significant difference in the chances of survival.

A doctor may fail to identify cancer for a variety of reasons. They may not order the appropriate tests, or they may misinterpret the results of the difficulties that are collected. In some cases, cancer may be present, but it is small and slow-growing, making it more difficult to detect.

Whatever the reason for the failure to diagnose cancer, the consequences can be devastating. If the cancer is caught early, it is often much easier to treat, and the chances of survival are much higher. But if the diagnosis is delayed, cancer may grow and spread, making treatment more difficult and increasing the risk of death.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer that a doctor did not previously discover, you may have grounds for a medical negligence lawsuit. An experienced attorney can review your case and help you understand your legal options.

Prescription drug mistakes

There are several ways that patients can be harmed by prescription drugs, either through errors made by the prescribing doctor or the pharmacist. In some cases, the patient may be given the wrong medication or the wrong dosage. In other instances, dangerous side effects may go unreported.

Patients should always double-check their medications before taking them and immediately report any strange or severe side effects to their doctor. If you believe a prescription drug error has harmed you, you should contact a medical malpractice attorney in Tampa to discuss your case.

Infection or sepsis due to medical negligence.

Medical negligence can often lead to infection or sepsis. This is because when patients are not adequately cared for, they are more likely to develop a disease. Conditions can be severe and even life-threatening.

You might be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one acquired an infection or sepsis due to medical malpractice.

Some infections that can occur due to medical negligence include:

  • Urinary tract infections: Patients can develop urinary tract infections if catheters are not correctly placed or maintained. These infections can be excruciating and may lead to sepsis.
  • Bloodstream infections: Patients can develop bloodstream infections if IV lines are not correctly placed or maintained. These infections can be hazardous and may lead to sepsis.
  • Surgical site infections: Patients can develop surgical site infections if surgical instruments are not sterilized properly or wounds are not kept clean after surgery. These infections can be excruciating and may require additional surgery to correct.

If you or a loved one has developed an infection or sepsis due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Tampa today for a free consultation.

Conclusion

We hope this article has provided insight into Tampa's most common types of medical malpractice. Medical negligence can have severe and long-lasting consequences, so it is essential to understand your rights and responsibilities when seeking medical care.

If you feel like you or a loved one may have been the victim of medical malpractice, seek legal advice immediately to ensure that justice is served.