The firm has successfully represented numerous clients who have been severely injured and family members of those who have died as a result of negligent medical care. We have had vast experience with a wide range of medical malpractice issues including emergency room errors, surgical errors, the failure to diagnose cancer and other maladies as well as extensive experience with medical device litigation including failed pacemakers and surgical hardware.
5 Most Common Types of Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?
The most common preventable medical errors that occur each year in hospitals and other medical settings that may lead to medical malpractice claims include:
- Misdiagnosis – Failure to diagnose an illness is a common medical mistake. The most commonly misdiagnosed conditions are heart attack and cancer. The failure to diagnose life-threatening conditions can have devastating consequences and cause catastrophic injuries.
- Surgical errors – Whether the surgical team left tools or sponges inside the body during surgery, the wrong side or site was operated on or even performed on the wrong patient. Surgical errors are another common medical mistake.
- Failure to treat – This error occurs when the doctors correctly diagnoses a condition, but then fails to treat it in accordance with the acceptable standard of care for that condition. Discharging a patient too soon, or the lack of follow up care, can make conditions worse and lead to injury.
- Birth injuries – A significant portion of medical malpractice claims are against OBGYNs for childbirth-related medical mistakes. Conditions such as shoulder dystocia or other nerve damage, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy and cephalohematoma are common birth injuries that could have been caused by medical errors.
- Prescription drug errors – Doctors make errors in prescribing the wrong medication, incorrect dosing and administration of prescription drugs. Other drug errors include prescribing drugs that can cause harm in the patient when they interact with one another.
Louis J. Muggeo, who heads this practice area sits as the attorney/panel member of the Massachusetts Medical Malpractice Tribunal.
