Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional deviates from the standard of care and, as a result, causes harm to a patient. Here are some examples of actions that can be considered malpractice in the medical field:
- Misdiagnosis: A healthcare professional who fails to diagnose a condition or misdiagnoses a condition can be held liable for malpractice if the patient is harmed as a result. A misdiagnosis can lead to delayed treatment or incorrect treatment, causing further harm to the patient.
- Surgical Errors: Surgeons who perform surgery on incorrect limbs, organs or leave surgical instruments inside the body are often held accountable for malpractice.
- Medication Errors: Healthcare professionals can be held liable for malpractice if they administer the incorrect medication, the wrong dose or fail to warn their patients of any known side effects or drug interactions.
- Failure to Obtain Informed Consent: Medical professionals are required to obtain informed consent from patients before any treatment or procedure is performed. Informed consent means that the patient has been provided with information about the procedure, including its risks and benefits, and has voluntarily given approval for it. Medical professionals can be held liable for malpractice if they fail to get informed consent or if they provide false or incomplete information to the patient.
- Lack of Follow-Up: A healthcare professional who fails to follow up with a patient, misreads or fails to act upon the results of a medical test can be held liable for medical malpractice if the patient is harmed as a result.
It is important to note that medical malpractice laws and standards can vary by state and jurisdiction. Patients who believe they have been subjected to medical malpractice may have their cases evaluated by a medical malpractice lawyer.
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