Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Palatka

To properly treat any medical condition, a physician must first identify the problem. When a doctor fails to run the right tests, misses something in the test results, or otherwise fails to correctly diagnose a patient, they can’t adequately treat the patient. That delay in treatment can worsen health conditions, or even be fatal.

Delay in diagnosis or failure to diagnose is one reason a patient may not be properly treated. But, there are other reasons. For example, a medical facility might simply drop the ball and fail to schedule the patient for a follow-up appointment to discuss their diagnosis and start treatment. Or, the treating doctor may not be familiar with the accepted treatment for the condition.

Surgical errors can range from failure to sterilize instruments to use of a material the patient is allergic to all the way to operation on the wrong body part. One common surgical error–leaving a sponge or other foreign object in the body–is the exception to the “no presumption” rule. An object remaining in the body after surgery is considered prima facie evidence of negligence.

Birth injuries are among the most common medical malpractice claims. Some of the most common types of birth injuries include brachial plexus (nerve damage to the shoulder), injuries caused by improper use of forceps, brain bleeds and other injuries caused by vacuum delivery, and fractures.

Procedural errors can cause a wide variety of different types of medical injuries. For example, flawed procedures or failing to follow procedures for monitoring a patient after surgery can mean an urgent problem like a blood clot goes untreated. Or, failing to review discharge orders with the patient can mean that the patient overlooks something and their condition worsens.

Defective medical devices typically give rise to a product liability claim against the manufacturer or seller of the device. However, in some cases, a medical device case may also involve a physician or other medical professional. For example, a physician who chose a device they should have known was defective or otherwise unsuitable for the patient may be liable. And, a doctor who improperly installs a medical device may be liable for malpractice.

Nursing home residents are especially vulnerable and dependent on the facility and their medical providers. In addition to the general standard of medical care that applies in any medical malpractice case, there is a federal law that requires nursing homes to provide the highest level of care practicable.

Medication errors can be dangerous. Common errors include giving a patient a medication they are allergic to or that interacts with another medication they are taking, giving the patient the wrong medication for their condition, or providing the wrong dosage.

Any type of negligence may occur in a hospital emergency department. Because emergency rooms are often busy and the provider may not have a history with the patient, failure to diagnose, misdiagnosis, and other oversight-related mistakes are among the most common.

The appropriate level and type of monitoring depends on the patient’s condition and other factors. For example, a patient who is elderly or confused may need monitoring to ensure that they don’t attempt to get out of bed and hurt themselves. Post-surgical patients typically require monitoring for breathing issues and signs of blood clots.