Riverdale Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Typical Examples of Medical Malpractice Cases

Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers, such as doctors, nurses, or hospitals, fail to adhere to established "standards of care," which require them to act reasonably, akin to other professionals, when treating patients. This expectation to follow the standard of care is mandated by Georgia law according to O.C.G.A. § 51-1-27. Standards of care are typically well-defined through fundamental medical education in medical and nursing schools, documented in widely accepted textbooks, professional guidelines, hospital policies and procedures, peer-reviewed literature, and even basic internet searches. These standards are taught to ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care and to prevent known and avoidable complications that could harm patients. Deviating from these standards, known as a "breach" or "violation" of the standard of care, resulting in an injury, constitutes medical malpractice or medical negligence.

Common instances of medical malpractice include:

• Anesthesia Errors: Anesthesiologists and other healthcare professionals responsible for anesthesia must ensure patients can breathe safely during and after surgeries and medical procedures. When they fail to administer anesthesia safely, properly monitor patients, recognize signs of breathing difficulties, have a safe anesthesia plan, or promptly respond to airway issues, it can result in severe brain injuries or even death. Such occurrences should not happen, and families should look into these incidents for possible misconduct.
• Birth Injuries: Medical malpractice often occurs during labor and delivery. A common scenario involves inducing labor with a medication called "Pitocin" or "Oxytocin" to stimulate contractions and speed up delivery. This medication is considered high-risk because improper administration or inadequate monitoring can cause serious harm. Often, excessive medication leads to too many contractions, reducing blood flow to the baby. Without prompt interventions or an urgent cesarean section, the baby can suffer permanent brain damage or death due to oxygen deprivation. Surviving babies may be diagnosed with "hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy" and develop cerebral palsy, leading to a lifetime of challenges, missed milestones, and suffering. If this happens, it's crucial to seek immediate investigation by an experienced medical malpractice lawyer specializing in "birth injury" cases.
• Misdiagnosis, Missed Diagnosis, or Delayed Diagnosis:Medical malpractice often occurs when there's a failure to promptly diagnose and treat a serious medical condition. Patients frequently visit the emergency room or their doctor's office with common signs of a severe medical issue but are sent home without treatment because healthcare providers didn't recognize these signs. This failure-to-diagnose happens commonly with conditions like heart attacks, strokes, cancers, Type A aortic dissections, brain infections such as meningitis or herpes encephalitis, testicular torsions, and other infections. When doctors don't swiftly diagnose and treat such conditions, it can lead to permanent harm or death. Those affected should consult experienced medical malpractice lawyers for guidance.
• Medication Errors: Nurses are required to adhere to the "5 Rights" of medication administration, ensuring the right medication is given to the right patient, in the correct dose, via the right route, and at the right time. Medication errors can include administering the wrong medication to a patient, giving an excessive dose, or delivering medication incorrectly. Unfortunately, these errors are frequent and can result in severe injuries. If you've experienced this, you should have your case reviewed by a skilled medical malpractice lawyer.
• Surgical Mistakes: Mistakes can occur during surgery, such as operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical tools inside the patient, performing unnecessary surgeries, or damaging vital body parts. These preventable errors can lead to life-altering consequences, including amputations or even death. Surgeons must anticipate potential complications and take measures to avoid these mistakes.