Medical malpractice is a common cause of wrongful injuries and deaths every year. There are many ways medical malpractice can take place, which include mistakes in diagnosis, failure to make timely interventions, or providing care without due diligence. Medical malpractice cases often involve complex civil litigation, which can lead to extensive laws and regulations on how this practice should be undertaken.
It is always better to speak to a Cedar Rapids personal injury lawyer if you think you have been the victim of medical malpractice. This will help you understand your rights and how to fight for damages from these mistakes.
The following article will give you a basic understanding of the common types of medical malpractices in Cedar Rapids.
- Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis is one of the most common forms of medical malpractice. Healthcare providers make mistakes due to their lack of knowledge or misunderstanding about certain diseases and conditions. However, misdiagnosis can lead to severe consequences, such as permanent disability, loss of life, and catastrophic injuries.
If the misdiagnosis is made due to negligence, a victim can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the medical practitioner. Certain laws mandate that medical practitioners should be able to make confident and correct diagnoses.
- Delayed diagnosis
If medical practitioners delay diagnosing the disease until it has advanced, then they can be held at fault. In addition, if patients are suffering from a treatable condition and their treatment is delayed, then this would also be considered malpractice. The victim can file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the medical practitioner who delayed treatment.
- Surgical errors
Common surgical errors in Cedar Rapids include leaving foreign objects inside the patient, operating on the wrong body part, or using faulty implants or prostheses. The latter is very common in orthopedic surgeries. Medical practitioners are bound by law to follow certain precautions and guidelines during surgery.
- Birth injuries
Most women undergo elective c-sections for convenience. However, a cesarean section can lead to severe birth injuries. These may be due to medical malpractice that occurred during the delivery.
- Failure to treat
A failure to treat occurs when a physician is not able to make timely interventions in order to cure the disease or treat the injury. It could be due to negligence or simply a lack of skill. In most cases, victims of medical malpractices must also prove that the failure to treat has led to more severe consequences.