Consulting an Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer for Medical Malpractice
Some of the most tragic cases of personal injury involve the dangerously negligent actions of healthcare professionals. While physicians, nurses, and surgeons should be among the most dependable of any service industry, responsible often for our very lives, patients are sadly forced to sometimes suffer preventable errors. Even with the assistance of a qualified personal injury attorney in Orlando, it can be difficult and stressful to receive a fair and fully justified recovery for damages. Medical malpractice suits lead to billions of dollars in recovered damages every year.
These unacceptable errors are the 5 most common causes:
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Misdiagnosis
Medical professionals that fail to take the appropriate steps in diagnosis risk continuing treatment that exacerbate symptoms or leave others of treated. While rarer or more complex conditions can be reasonably more difficult to correctly assess, there exists in the industry a “standard of care” of which doctors, qualified staff, and your experienced Orlando accident attorney are well aware. Failure to acknowledge and treat a patient with due and thorough attention is reckless, immoral, and in some cases criminal.
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Birthing Errors
Negligent prenatal care is the cause of nearly 1 in every 5 medical malpractice cases. An irresponsible error from staff or doctor can lead to injury of both newborn and mother. Many cases also involve undiagnosed defects and other concerns that can cause lifelong trauma.
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Staff Error
Some employees in the medical field work long, extended shifts that can cause fatigue and stress related errors. Poor judgment and failure to follow procedures and properly record information can endanger patients even for simple outpatient procedures. Surgical errors, though often inexcusable, are common for some cases involving an Orlando personal injury lawyer. A surgeon may perform the wrong surgery, treat the wrong site, or even leave instruments still inside the body. For many, these errors require additional surgery, cause extreme discomfort, worse pre-existing symptoms, and can even lead to wrongful death.
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Medication Errors
Anesthesia related errors are often considered more dangerous than surgical errors. An incorrect dose of anesthesia or improper monitoring of the patient’s condition can cause severe brain damage. Medical dosage and prescriptions must be done with care and precision, with due attention given to possible combinations or allergies. Sadly, poor communication and lax data entry are common causes of this unfortunate situation.
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Infections
According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in every 20 hospitalized patients will acquire a Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI). The medical staff is trained to obey basic precautions in order to prevent the spread of diseases between sick patients and protect open wounds while being treated. However, when healthcare professionals become negligent in their care, patients are exposed to a variety of dangerous illnesses and bacteria, particularly those with weakened immune systems.
How Will New Legislation Affect My Rights to Claim Personal Injury?
It is important to contact a personal injury attorney in Orlando as early as possible when your health care has been dangerously substandard. Recent legislation enacted to reduce the cost of hefty medical lawsuits has placed 3-year Statute of Limitations for most medical malpractice claims. Also, evidence and clear documentation in regards to your claim will be more readily and convincingly available the sooner you consult with an Orlando personal injury lawyer.
