Turning to a doctor for their medical expertise is commonplace. We trust that doctors will guide us in the right direction when it comes to developing a treatment plan for us and our loved ones. However, as Chicago medical malpractice attorneys, we want to ensure that you are aware of the signs of medical malpractice because it can cause harm both mentally and physically.
You may think that medical malpractice cases are rare, but, in reality, they are more common than you may think. In a 2013 study published by the Journal of Patient Safety, roughly 400,000 people die prematurely on an annual basis due to the preventable harm caused by medical professionals. Plus, roughly 10-20 times as many people suffer from injuries each year as the result of medical malpractice. Being aware of the signs of medical malpractice can help you feel confident that you are receiving the highest-quality medical care.
Failure to Diagnose
If a disease goes unnoticed, this could be potentially fatal for the patient. It’s up to the doctor to help catch the symptoms and take action accordingly. Not treating the symptoms of a developing health-related issue can result in complications or even death. Failure to diagnose is especially fatal if an aggressive disease is developing and the doctor misses it completely, resulting in the rapid spread of the disease. The sooner treatment is started, the better.
Wrong Medication or Dosage
Another example of medical malpractice is when a patient receives the wrong medication altogether or the wrong dosage of a particular medication. The doctor may prescribe something that negatively interacts with a current medication that the patient is on, leading to an overdose or complications. Doctors are responsible for prescribing the proper medications and doses that will help their patients get better.
Minimal Informed Consent
Doctors are also responsible for conveying the potential risks and complications that accompany any given procedure or medication. In order for this to be medical malpractice, the patient needs to be able to prove that they were not informed of the procedure’s risks and if they had been, they would have denied the treatment.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to the negligence of a medical professional, turn to our Chicago medical malpractice attorney during this difficult time.