Most patients want to keep the possibility of malpractice and improper treatment as far out of minds as possible. If you become the victim of malpractice, you might simply feel confused and unsure of how to proceed.
The steps you should follow after experiencing malpractice are to seek proper medical treatment and file a claim so you can receive due compensation. If you are unsure whether your case warrants filing a claim, familiarizing yourself with some of the most common types of medical malpractice can affirm your position.
Prescription errors
If a doctor prescribes the wrong medicine or a harmful dosage, you might suffer dangerous side effects or fail to recover from your original condition. Pharmacists can also be guilty of malpractice if their negligent behavior results in you receiving the wrong prescription.
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnoses can sometimes be honest mistakes, but they can also be examples of malpractice if a physician knowingly neglects to refer you to a more specialized professional. Avoidable mistakes such as mislabeling or miscommunication that lead to an incorrect or delayed diagnosis can also be grounds for filing a claim.
Birth injuries
Some injuries that a newborn sustains during childbirth are unavoidable or will heal over time. Others might be the result of negligence during prenatal care or during the delivery process and can have permanent effects on the child.
Many people receive the healthcare they need with relatively little risk of suffering from medical malpractice. If you suspect that you might be a victim of negligent behavior, though, it is important to take immediate action for the sake of your own well-being.
