Medical malpractice injuries depend on the type of malpractice that occurred.
Examples of medical malpractice include:
- birth injuries;
- surgical errors;
- diagnostic mistakes; and
- medication mishaps.
A lawsuit for malpractice may be filed with help from a New York personal injury lawyer in Long Island if negligence leads to serious injury or significant damages.
Birth Injuries & Medical Malpractice
One type of medical malpractice stems from birth injuries that occur before, during, or after delivery. Negligence before birth generally originates in errors wit prenatal care.
An example is a failure to diagnose a serious health condition in the mother. Certain types of conditions (such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and Rh incompatibility) should be addressed to protect both the mother and the baby.
Some of the injuries associated with poorly managed gestational diabetes include:
- jaundice;
- low blood sugar;
- preterm birth; and
- respiratory distress syndrome.
With preeclampsia, complications may include:
- placenta abruption (separates from inner wall of uterus);
- decreased blood flow to placenta; and
- eclampsia (which may include seizures).
Rh incompatibility may be associated with brain damage or impairments of hearing, speech and movement.
During birth there can be numerous complications that require special care. For instance, if the baby is breech the doctor may need to make efforts to turn the baby or deliver via C-section.
Injuries from a breech birth could include:
- fractures;
- shoulder dystocia (nerve injury to arms, hand and shoulder which may result in paralysis); and
- prolapsed umbilical cord (can reduce or cut off baby’s oxygen, potentially causing brain damage).
Many birth injuries are attributed to the natural birthing process, though if a doctor failed to adhere to the standards of care and it resulted in injury, a New York personal injury lawyer in Long Island can help families file a lawsuit for malpractice.
Injuries from Surgical Errors
Negligence in surgery is another common type of medical malpractice. An example is when a surgeon operates on the wrong side or the wrong patient. For instance, amputating the left leg instead of the right, or removing an organ from a patient scheduled for another type of procedure. These types of injuries can cause not only bodily harm but psychological harm as well. It may even require a second surgery.
Leaving surgical instruments—such as sponges, towels or surgical instruments—inside a patient is another type of medical malpractice. Injuries can include severe pain, additional surgery, infection and even death.
Injuries from Diagnostic Mistakes
Diagnostic errors can include a delay, misdiagnosis or a failure to diagnose. Depending on the health concern, it could result in a patient’s condition worsening to a point where it becomes life-threatening, such as a stroke or heart attack.
A delay or failing to diagnose a medical condition could result in a patient not receiving medication that might have successfully treated it. An example would be cancer that spreads because the patient didn’t receive timely treatment.
When a condition is misdiagnosed, it could lead to a patient receiving treatment that is unnecessary and potentially harmful. In severe cases it might even cause death. A New York personal injury lawyer in Long Island may refer to expert testimony to establish whether a doctor acted negligently in a misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose or diagnosis delay.
Injuries from Medication Mishaps
Receiving the wrong type of medication or the wrong dosage can cause a variety of injuries and can result in a lawsuit for malpractice. Adverse reactions from drugs can range from mild sickness to life-threatening illness.
This may include overdoses or harmful interactions between medications. Meanwhile, an inadequate dose could make it ineffective. Victims may discuss filing a lawsuit for malpractice with a New York personal injury lawyer in Long Island who will examine details of the prescription and whether it was provided in error.
Help from a New York Personal Injury Lawyer in Long Island
Talking to a New York personal injury lawyer in Long Island at Gacovino, Lake & Associates can be helpful if it’s believed that negligence led to serious or fatal injuries. We can assist clients in determining the legitimacy of a lawsuit for medical malpractice and help pursue fair compensation.
