Despite the skills, knowledge, and experience they possess, health care professionals are still subject to human error. When those mistakes cause serious harm to a patient, there is the potential to hold the at-fault party financially responsible by filing a medical malpractice claim. However, you’ll need the assistance of an attorney to determine whether or not negligence actually occurred. That’s when the residents of Show Low, AZ, turn to Riggs, Ellsworth & Porter PLC for counsel. Their legal team is committed to effectively representing personal injury victims and helping them recover all the damages they’re entitled to. Below, they go over a few specific situations that commonly qualify as medical malpractice.

3 Types of Medical Malpractice Cases Attorneys Often Handle

1. Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis, or the failure to properly identify a health condition, frequently puts patients in danger of greater injury or illness because it prevents them from obtaining the treatment they need to get better. This can mean the difference between life and death. To prove a doctor is liable, attorneys must establish any qualified physician should have been able to correctly identify the problem and show how they would have done so.

2. Surgical Errors

Mistakes made in surgery happen more often than they should. This may include scenarios such as operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical equipment inside the body, damaging other organs, nerves, or tissues during the procedure, or providing inadequate care after the operation. The issues that result from surgical errors can be life changing. An attorney will perform a thorough investigation to find evidence that substantiates the patient’s claim of malpractice and ensure they are appropriately compensated. 

3. Prescribing Improper Medications

When a doctor prescribes the wrong medication for a condition or fails to recognize when a patient has been given a dangerous drug combination, they can be held liable if it causes significant harm. This is also true if a hospital staff member inaccurately administers medication. In some cases, taking the wrong one can be fatal. To support a malpractice claim, lawyers work to demonstrate the knowledge of the health care professional and their failure to properly warn a patient of potential risks and side effects. 

Medical malpractice claims can stem from a range of circumstances. If you were injured at the hands of a health care professional, it’s important to consult with an attorney from Riggs, Ellsworth & Porter PLC right away to figure out if you have a valid case. They will assess the circumstances surrounding your injuries to determine if you have all the elements necessary to prove negligence. You can reach them at (928) 537-3228, or visit their website for additional information.