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Medical malpractice affects thousands of people every year – and sometimes victims do not even know it. Importantly, not every mistake or adverse outcome is malpractice. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to use the degree of care they should use, resulting in harm to patients. When malpractice occurs, victims can typically recover compensation for their losses by filing a claim.

While healthcare professionals can make mistakes, there are certain situations that involve malpractice more often than not. Below, we discuss some of the most common. To discuss your case with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Pittsburgh, contact our office today.

Surgical Errors

Surgical errors are some of the most egregious medical malpractice cases out there. Issues like wrong-site surgery or leaving sponges or instruments inside of patients’ bodies should not happen, but it unfortunately does. Other examples of surgical errors that are almost certainly medical malpractice include performing the wrong procedure, operating on the wrong patient, failing to maintain a sterile environment, or performing wrong-side surgery.

Malpractice During Pregnancy or Childbirth

When doctors, nurses, or others involved in caring for expecting mothers or assisting in the birthing process make mistakes, it can affect families for decades. In some cases, surgical errors can even result in leaving otherwise healthy babies with cognitive or physical problems that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Some common examples of malpractice during labor or childbirth include:

• Failure to diagnose or treat maternal conditions
• Failure to diagnose or treat fetal conditions
• Failing to order a c-section when necessary
• Improper use of forceps, vacuums, or other medical devices
• Inadequate prenatal care
• Delayed or inadequate monitoring of fetal vital signs

Medication Errors

Medication errors are a common form of medical malpractice. These errors occur when healthcare professionals make mistakes in prescribing, administering, or monitoring medications, often leading to harm to patients. Common causes include miscommunication, confusion between similar drug names, incorrect dosages, and inadequate patient information. 

Such errors can result in serious consequences, including adverse reactions, worsening of underlying conditions, or even death. Medical malpractice claims related to medication errors often center on negligence, failure to adhere to established protocols, or inadequate training and supervision. When patients are injured by medication errors, they can usually recover compensation.

Failure to Diagnose a Medical Condition

Failure to diagnose is another common form of medical malpractice. It occurs when healthcare providers miss or delay the identification of a patient’s medical condition, leading to harm or worsened outcomes. These errors often stem from a lack of thorough examination, misinterpretation of test results, or inadequate follow-up. Failure to diagnose can result in delayed treatment, allowing diseases to progress to advanced stages, reducing the chances of successful intervention, and causing unnecessary suffering to patients and their families.

Call Us Today to Speak with a Pittsburgh Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you have experienced an adverse outcome after receiving medical care, you should contact Ainsman Levine, LLC, as soon as you can. We will review your case and advise you about your legal options. To schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our team, call our office today at (412) 338-9030 or contact us online.