Georgetown Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical malpractice can take many forms, but some of the most common types of Delaware medical malpractice claims include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis

• Surgical errors

• Medication mistakes

• Birth injuries

• Anesthesia errors

• Hospital negligence

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

A misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis occurs when a medical professional fails to correctly diagnose a patient’s condition, leading to a delay in treatment or incorrect treatment. Examples of valid lawsuits include:

• A doctor misdiagnosing a heart attack as acid reflux, resulting in a delayed diagnosis and serious complications.

• A radiologist failing to detect a cancerous tumor on an X-ray, leading to a delayed diagnosis and advanced stage of the cancer.

Surgical Errors

Surgical errors can include mistakes made during the surgery itself, such as leaving a surgical instrument inside the patient, or medical errors in preoperative or postoperative care. Examples of valid lawsuits include:

• A surgeon performing the wrong procedure on a patient.

• A nurse failing to properly monitor a patient’s vital signs after surgery, leading to complications.

Medication Mistakes

Medication errors can include prescribing the wrong medication, administering the wrong dosage, or failing to provide appropriate warnings about side effects. Examples of valid lawsuits include:

• A pharmacist dispensing the wrong medication to a patient, leading to a serious adverse reaction.

• A doctor prescribing a medication that is known to interact dangerously with another medication the patient is taking.

Birth Injuries

Birth injuries can occur during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, and can be caused by a variety of factors, including medical negligence. Examples of valid lawsuits include:

• A doctor failing to monitor a mother’s labor progress, leading to oxygen deprivation in the baby.

• A nurse using excessive force during a forceps delivery, causing brain damage to the baby.

Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia errors can include administering the wrong dosage of anesthesia, failing to monitor a patient’s vital signs during surgery, or failing to address allergic reactions to anesthesia. Examples of valid lawsuits include:

• An anesthesiologist administering too much anesthesia to a patient, leading to respiratory depression.

• A nurse failing to recognize and treat an allergic reaction to anesthesia during surgery.

Hospital Negligence

Hospital negligence can include failures in any aspect of hospital care, such as inadequate staffing, poor sanitation, or violations of patient safety protocols. Examples of valid lawsuits include:

• A hospital failing to prevent the spread of a contagious disease due to inadequate sanitation.

• A hospital failing to provide adequate supervision of a patient who is at risk of self-harm.