Medical malpractice is a term that involves medical errors made by healthcare providers that are below the standard level of care and cause harm to the patient. Unfortunately, medical mistakes are not uncommon and can result in long-term injury, physical or mental disability, or loss of life for patients. In fact, research shows that medical …
Medical malpractice is a term that involves medical errors made by healthcare providers that are below the standard level of care and cause harm to the patient. Unfortunately, medical mistakes are not uncommon and can result in long-term injury, physical or mental disability, or loss of life for patients. In fact, research shows that medical malpractice plays a part in approximately 80,000 wrongful deaths in the United States each year. Devastating errors made by medical professionals can occur in a doctor’s office, hospital, or emergency room, and can arise during surgery, childbirth or even an act as simple as writing a prescription. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of medical malpractice cases are litigated, which means many victims of medical errors are left to deal with their injury or illness on their own without any financial help. If you have suffered from an injury or illness caused by a medical error in Oklahoma, contact an Oklahoma City medical malpractice attorney today.
Types of Medical Mistakes
Because medical malpractice covers a wide range of improper practices, there are a number of different types of medical mistakes that can affect the lives of patients. The most common forms of medical malpractice include:
- Amputation error
- Emergency room mistakes
- Birth injuries
- Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose
- Improper pre- or post-operational procedure
- Surgical error
- Prescription error
Long-Term Effects of Medical Malpractice
We’ve all heard horror stories about patients waking up from an amputation procedure only to discover that the surgeon removed the wrong limb. This is only one of the ways in which a medical mistake can severely alter a patient’s quality of life, forcing him or her to struggle with an injury or disability for years to come. Birth injuries represent one of the most devastating types of medical errors, as mistakes made before, during or after childbirth can cause serious and potentially life-threatening injuries to a child before he or she even has the opportunity to live a normal, healthy life. Some of the most common types of birth injuries caused by medical malpractice include cerebral palsy, shoulder dystocia, Klumpke’s palsy and brachial plexus palsy. Birth injuries such as these typically occur because of improper prenatal care or incorrect delivery methods, which means they could be avoided if not for medical mistakes.
An Oklahoma Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help
Medical errors can affect any person at any time, and seeking qualified legal representation immediately afterward is key to pursuing fair and timely reimbursement for the victim. Although financial compensation can’t reverse the adverse effects that medical errors have on the lives of patients and their families, it can provide critical assistance in providing the patient with the medical care he or she needs to recover from or adjust to the injury or illness. If you have suffered from a medical error at the hands of a surgeon, physician or another medical professional, contact an Oklahoma City medical malpractice attorney today. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, which you can pursue by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against the responsible party.