Most doctors and nurses do all they can to provide safe and effective treatments. Unfortunately, health-care professionals are often overworked and fatigued, which can lead to minor oversights that cause major complications.
If a medical worker provides a standard of care that is below the accepted standard within the profession, and this results in an injury to a patient, then the victim may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
However, making a successful medical malpractice claim in Texas is a legally complicated endeavor. Proving negligence, liability and damages may require expert testimonies from doctors and economists. You also will need to undergo an independent medical examination.
The best way to avoid mistakes during the claims process is to hire a personal-injury attorney who has successfully handled medical malpractice cases. If the incident happened in Texas, contact the Robson Law Firm.
An Austin injury lawyer will help you claim compensation for medical bills, lost income and other damages. Call us today at 512-345-8200 to schedule a free consultation.
Read on to learn about five common causes of medical malpractice claims in Texas:
- Incorrect or Delayed Diagnosis
A delayed or incorrect diagnosis can allow the patient’s condition to worsen which, in some cases, can be fatal. Other times, a diagnosis mistake increases the overall cost of medical bills and lost wages as the patient requires more time to recover.
- Surgical Errors
Horror stories abound of botched surgeries in which a doctor amputates the wrong limb, operates on the incorrect patient, removes a healthy organ, or leaves a tool inside a patient. Unfortunately, these mistakes are far too common.
- Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can cause permanent cognitive and physical disabilities. These are particularly common during forceful deliveries when the doctor misuses forceps or a vacuum extractor to remove the infant.
- Prescription Errors
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, adverse drug events (ADEs) cause an estimated 700,000 emergency room visits each year. Many of these involve prescription drug errors.
Common medication mistakes include:
- Prescribing a medication to the wrong patient;
- Prescribing the wrong medication;
- Incorrect dosage;
- And dispensing expired medications.
These errors can lead to serious and potentially fatal complications. Victims may not be receiving treatment for their health concerns, and some prescription mistakes can cause entirely new medical problems.
- Anesthesia Errors
There’s a reason why anesthesiologists make an average salary of $300,000: A small mistake can lead to death – or perhaps worse, waking up in the middle of an invasive surgery.
Anesthesiologists must evaluate the patient’s medical history to determine the likelihood of complications. The must also monitor vital signs, use the correct equipment, incubate patients properly and, perhaps most important, deliver the right amount of anesthesia.
If you or a loved one was injured due to medical negligence, contact an Austin personal-injury attorney from the Robson Law Firm. Out legal team has been protecting the rights of the injured for more than 20 years, and we understand how to find success in court. Call 512-345-8200 to schedule a free initial consultation.