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Are there different types of medical malpractice?

On Behalf of | Sep 9, 2021 | Medical Malpractice

Anyone who visits a hospital or doctor’s office in Texas hopes to receive quality care. Sadly, some patients leave the facilities in worse shape than before they entered. Physicians and other health care workers could make mistakes, resulting in great harm to a patient. The victim may have a medical malpractice case against the negligent party.

A variety of malpractice incidents

Medical malpractice claims often involve a doctor failing to provide the appropriate care. Failing to diagnose an illness or condition properly, if at all, ranks as a typical example of malpractice. Sometimes, the results are disastrous. Sending a patient home with a diagnosis of a minor respiratory issue could prove fatal when the problem is lung cancer, for example. The patient might not seek further care until cancer spreads and worsens.

Issues with medication could also support a medical malpractice claim. Prescribing the wrong medication or recommending too high of a dose could cause adverse reactions. Ignoring a patient’s history and prescribing medication that causes an allergic reaction could lead to litigation.

Further forms of medical malpractice

Ordering various necessary tests might result in an appropriate diagnosis, so not requesting tests may prove harmful. Even when tests and other examinations reveal a particular ailment, performing unnecessary procedures could constitute medical malpractice. Outright botching procedures by leaving instruments inside the body could cause serious complications.

While a patient may wish to leave the hospital, an early discharge might be dangerous. Doctors who discharge patients too early could cause harm. In addition, patients discharged appropriately may require follow-up care, so a failure to provide follow-up services might reflect negligence.

Malpractice could leave someone in worse shape and requiring extensive medical care. Such costs may motivate a victim to file a civil action.

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