Our team of skilled lawyers has been helping victims of medical malpractice for nearly two decades. If you or a loved one has suffered from a hospital, doctor or surgical mistake, call us today for a free consultation.
Medical malpractice is a broad term used to describe a sub-standard level of medical care that results in personal injury to the patient. People make mistakes all the time and the field of medicine is no exception. However, when a healthcare provider makes a mistake, human life can be adversely affected. If a patient is injured or killed because of a doctor or hospital mistake, a medical malpractice claim may be in order. In a recent Harvard Medical Practice Study, it was estimated that medical malpractice plays some part in approximately 80,000 wrongful deaths every year, in the United States alone. If you have been adversely affected by a medical error, contact our experienced attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center as soon as possible.
Types of Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice or medical negligence can take any number of forms, including surgical errors, amputation errors, emergency room mistakes, failure to diagnose illness, birth injuries, emergency room mistakes, improper pre-operational/ post-op procedure, etc. No matter what kind of medical mistake occurs however, medical malpractice laws dictate that the patient must have suffered a personal injury strictly due to the healthcare provider’s error. In addition, the medical error must be considered below the standard level of healthcare given across the country.
Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim
Even though patients in Oklahoma and across the country suffer from medical malpractice every day, surprisingly few claims are filed by victims. It is estimated that only about 13% of patients that suffer injuries resulting from a medical mistake file a lawsuit or a medical malpractice claim. Of the people who do file medical malpractice lawsuits, it is estimated that only half of them receive any compensation.
Hospital Mistakes and Malpractice Lawsuits
It is the responsibility of hospitals and doctors to treat sick and injured people to the best of their ability. Patients trust hospitals to provide the highest quality care and to make the right decisions for their patients in high-stress situations. Unfortunately, hospital errors are a major cause of injury and death in Oklahoma and around the country. Any number of hospital employees can be responsible for a hospital mistake, including: doctors, physicians, nurses, nurses’ aids, emergency room staff, pharmacists and hospital administrators. Regardless of who actually makes the mistake, the hospital should be held liable for personal injury they caused you or your loved one.
Surgical Mistakes and Resulting Injuries
In many cases, a surgical error is a result of medical malpractice. Surgical errors can be defined as any mistake or unintentional action occurring while a person is undergoing surgery. Of the estimated 80,000 wrongful deaths attributed to medical malpractice every year, many are a direct result of surgical errors. A surgical mistake can be as minor as using the incorrect number of sutures to close a wound, or as major as amputating the wrong body part. Some common surgical errors resulting in medical malpractice claims include:
- Organ perforation
- Usage of unsanitary utensils leading to infection
- Improper incisions
- Surgery on the incorrect site or side of the body
- Surgery that takes too long or is not begun fast enough, resulting in surgical complications
Our Experienced Lawyers Can Help
Unfortunately, these surgical errors can stem from the least invasive cosmetic surgery procedure, from a complicated heart surgery, or even from a common childbirth that is performed a thousand times a day. If you would like to discuss your Oklahoma legal rights as they relate to a surgical error, contact our knowledgeable attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center today. We have experience handling medical malpractice claims resulting from surgical errors, and we are here to help.