Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional deviates from the accepted norms of practice in the medical community and causes an injury to their patient. Patients who suffer medical malpractice can incur significant damages. Furthermore, in some cases, the injuries caused by medical malpractice can be fatal.
After being injured as the result of medical malpractice, you may pursue financial compensation. However, the path to payment can be difficult without help from competent legal representation. You will likely need to present copious amounts of complicated evidence in order for your case to succeed.
Seek guidance and support from our experienced medical malpractice lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm by calling (718) 841-0083 today.
How is Medical Malpractice Defined in Perth Amboy, NJ?
Medical malpractice cases deal with issues of professional negligence. Medical malpractice occurs when doctors cause injuries by failing to adhere to accepted standards of practice.
There are specific elements that must be established for you to recover damages in a medical malpractice case. First, you must prove that the defendant doctor violated the applicable “standard of care.” In other words, you must show that your healthcare professional strayed from the typical medical treatment that would have been administered by other doctors with similar training under the same circumstances.
Additionally, you must prove that your injuries stem from the defendant doctor’s negligent conduct. It will not suffice to merely demonstrate that your doctor did not adhere to the applicable standard of care. Rather, you must show that their improper behavior is the source of your injury.
Lastly, you must be able to demonstrate that your injuries led to actual damages. As an example, your medical malpractice injuries may cause you to sustain economic damages related to additional medical bills and your diminished earning capacity at work. Further, your injuries may lead to non-economic damages such as physical pain and emotional distress. Our experienced wrongful death lawyers can calculate the true value of your case. Therefore, you may pursue the full range of compensation you are owed.
Common Examples of Medical Malpractice that Occur in Perth Amboy, NJ
There are many different forms of medical malpractice that can cause injuries to patients. The following are all examples of medical malpractice that can occur in Perth Amboy:
Surgical Errors
Surgical errors are a common form of medical malpractice. They can occur when a surgeon makes mistakes during an operation, such as performing the wrong procedure, operating on the wrong body part, or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient. Surgical errors may result from miscommunication, fatigue, or lack of attention to detail. Unfortunately, the injuries that result from these errors can be very severe.
Medication Errors
Medication errors are another common form of medical malpractice. These errors can happen when prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications. Examples include prescribing the wrong medication or dosage, failing to check for potential drug interactions or allergies, or administering medication via the wrong route. Medication errors may happen because of physicians’ illegible handwriting, miscommunication, or inadequate verification processes. After suffering a medication error, the team at our firm can help you identify the appropriate next steps to take.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
Furthermore, medical malpractice regularly occurs in the form of misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. These mistakes happen when healthcare providers fail to properly identify medical issues or take an excessive amount of time to do so. Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis can result in delayed or inappropriate treatment, causing harm to the patient. Factors contributing to this type of malpractice include inadequate examination, failure to order necessary tests, or misinterpretation of test results.
Birth Injuries
Many cases of medical malpractice involve birth injuries. These are injuries that occur to the mother or newborn during childbirth. Examples include brachial plexus injuries (damage to the nerves controlling the arm and hand), cerebral palsy due to oxygen deprivation, or fractures. Birth injuries may result from improper use of medical tools, failure to monitor fetal distress, or delayed response to complications.
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia errors are another common type of medical malpractice that can arise in Perth Amboy. These mistakes can occur during administration of anesthesia for surgery or medical procedures. Examples include administering an incorrect dosage, failing to monitor vital signs during the procedure, or not adequately assessing the patient’s medical history for potential complications. Anesthesia errors may happen due to insufficient training, distraction, or negligence. Those who suffer anesthesia errors may be able to recover monetary damages from at-fault physicians.
Infections and Hospital-Acquired Conditions
Additionally, medical malpractice regularly causes patients to develop infections and other hospital-acquired conditions. These infections and preventable conditions acquired during hospital stays may constitute grounds for malpractice cases. For example, victims may develop surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, or pressure ulcers (bedsores). These infections or conditions can happen as the result of inadequate sterilization, poor hygiene practices, or failure to follow proper protocols. If you suspect that you or your loved one developed an infection or hospital-acquired condition as the result of medical malpractice, then our legal team will investigate your case and identify the at-fault party.
Failure to Obtain Informed Consent
Lastly, medical malpractice lawsuits are also filed when doctors fail to acquire informed consent. Patients have the right to be fully informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a medical procedure or treatment before giving their consent. Failure to obtain informed consent can lead to legal repercussions. This may occur when healthcare providers fail to adequately explain the procedure or its potential risks, withhold important information, or perform procedures without the patient’s consent. If you underwent a procedure or treatment and developed harmful side effects that you were not warned about, then you may be able to recover monetary damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Victims of Medical Malpractice in Perth Amboy Can Reach Out to Our Law Firm for Help
After suffering injuries as the result of your doctor’s negligence, seek help from our medical malpractice attorneys by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 today.