Medical malpractice can lead to debilitating injuries, serious medical conditions, and chronic health problems. It's in your best interest to be aware of potential medical malpractice so you can protect yourself and other patients. The personal injury attorneys at MacVean, Lewis, Sherwin & McDermott, P.C., in Middletown, New York, have been serving Hudson Valley clients for over 130 years. Below, they share three signs of medical malpractice.

3 Signs of Medical Malpractice

1. You Were Misdiagnosed or Diagnosed Too Late

As one of the more common types of medical malpractice, inaccurate or delayed diagnoses can cause a patient irreparable harm. In less serious health issues, these transgressions are easily overlooked, and sometimes even understandable. But when it comes to major or life-threatening health matters, misdiagnosing a patient or waiting too long to diagnose can have grave repercussions, and these patients have a right to pursue a malpractice claim against their provider.

2. You Were Prescribed or Administered the Wrong Medication

Being given the wrong medication is another common source of medical malpractice. This could come in the form of a doctor prescribing a medication not conducive to the patient's needs and health, or it could come in the form of a provider administering the wrong medication to a patient. One medication can easily interact with another, and some medications are meant to target specific issues, causing harm if those issues are not present. In either case, the patient's health and well-being are in jeopardy.

3. You Were the Victim of a Surgical Mistake

It may not be an easy thought to consider given that we place our lives in their hands, but doctors are, after all, only people — and people make mistakes. Surgical errors are a kind of medical malpractice in which a provider makes a mistake during an operation that results in a direct threat to a patient's health. Examples include performing the operation on the wrong part of the body, leaving surgical tools inside the body, and inadvertently damaging other organs during surgery.

If you suspect you've been the victim of medical malpractice, contact the personal injury attorneys at MacVean, Lewis, Sherwin & McDermott, P.C. They also handle all manners of civil and commercial litigation, including corporate law, estate planning, and family law matters. Schedule a consultation by calling (845) 343-3000 or visiting the firm on Facebook or Google +. Let a trusted personal injury attorney be your advocate and help you right for your rights throughout the legal process.