If you haven’t experienced medical malpractice in Missouri, you likely have read about a case ,or may know someone who has unfortunately been a victim of medical malpractice. It’s frightening to think that a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other healthcare provider would not give adequate or correct treatment to a patient, but it does happen. When it does occur, you may have a case for medical malpractice and can recover damages and receive compensation for expenses that arose out of that negligence. At Popham Law, one of Kansas City's leading personal Injury law firms, we have litigated medical malpractice cases and have worked to help our clients receive fair and needed compensation.
Of all the different types of medical malpractice cases, there are some that are the most common and stand out.
1. Failure To Diagnose
It’s the most frequently reported medical malpractice cases. A doctor fails to diagnose—or misdiagnoses—a serious illness. In cases like cancers, infections and cardiac-related conditions that can be fatal if not discovered in time. If a diagnosis isn’t made timely, it could be too late for the patient to seek necessary life-saving treatments.
2. Failure To Order Diagnostics
When a patient presents symptoms, but the physician doesn’t order testing that would lead to the correct diagnosis. Again, without a timely diagnosis, the patient couldn’t receive treatments that could have saved their life or led to considerable pain and suffering from the undiagnosed and/or untreated condition.
3. Failure To Prescribe Correct Treatment
A physician may also prescribe a medication incorrectly, leading to harm to a patient. This can also include prescribing a medication incorrectly that renders it inefficient, an overdose, or failing to adjust a medication’s dosages as needed. A doctor must also take into consideration a patient’s other medications, or any allergies they have (i.e., sulfa drugs.)
Over-prescribing of medications has been linked to the opioid crisis in the United States.
4. Surgical Errors
Mistakes made during surgery violates the standard of care to which physicians are required to adhere. A physician may cut a patient incorrectly, whether with a scalpel or laser, causing damage that may lead to additional injury.
Patients may also later discover that their surgeon has left an object inside of them after surgery. This can be a sponge, a metal implement, or other object that should never have been left behind. These can lead to infections, internal bleeding, and other injuries.
5. Dangerous/Defective Medical Devices
Medical devices are designed to improve the care or condition of a patient. Things like insulin pumps, hernia mesh, IUDs (intrauterine devices for birth control) and joint replacements are just a few of the well-intended devices that have been recalled in the last several years.
When these devices malfunction, they can harm a patient, sometimes fatally. For instance, in late2019 and 2020, two versions of the Medtronic MiniMed insulin pumps were found to have a broken or missing retainer ring that are intended to keep the insulin cartridges in place. Designed for adults and children with Type 1 diabetes, the malfunctioning pump scan deliver too much or too little insulin to a patient, leading to either hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Both conditions can be fatal.
Other Types Of Medical Malpractice Claims
Medical malpractice encompasses a variety of accidents that can happen in medical care, including:
· Birth injuries, either prior to, during or just after delivery
· Unnecessary care, such as excessive medication and unneeded procedures
· Failing to inform a patient of dangers/lack of consent
If you believe you or a loved one has suffered due to medical malpractice, discuss your case with one of Popham Law's attorneys immediately to learn about your options and preserve your rights.
KC’s Medical Malpractice Law Firm
Medical malpractice claims are complex and difficult to win. The Popham Law Firm represents people who have been victims of medical malpractice and need help getting compensation for their injuries. Our goal is to help those who have been hurt by negligent medical professionals and obtain the best outcome possible for them.
Contact Kansas City’s most trusted medical malpractice and personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation. Remember, we don’t ask you for lawyer fees until you win your case. Call us at (816)221-2288 or visit our downtown office.
