Even after years of education and training, it’s possible for medical professionals to make mistakes. Medical malpractice costs patients money and can prove to be detrimental to their health. To help you understand your rights, here’s a breakdown of a few of the most common medical mistakes you can seek compensation for.

What Constitutes Medical Malpractice?

1. Surgical Mistakes

Surgery can be a stressful experience in and of itself, and errors add to the headache. For example, the surgery team might operate on the wrong area of the body, resulting in a need for further procedures and prolonging recovery times. Doctors might also leave tools and supplies inside the opening, or use equipment that wasn’t properly disinfected. These could result in infection, internal bleeding, and other serious consequences.

2. Medication Issues 

From the initial writing of the prescription to the preparation of the drugs, several errors that affect a patient’s health can be made. For example, if the doctor writes down the wrong brand name or prescribes too strong a dosage, the medicine could have unintended side effects. In other cases, the pharmacist may fill the wrong prescription or dosage, resulting in the same consequences.

3. Diagnosis Errors

In some cases, the mistakes come during the initial diagnosis. Whether they didn’t pay attention when the patient described their symptoms or failed to accurately interpret test results, a doctor may conclude someone has the wrong illness or condition. The subsequent treatments, medications, and even surgeries recommended could be unnecessary or even detrimental. Plus, these mistakes result in the patient paying for services and medications that don’t improve their condition.

If you believe you were a victim of medical malpractice, reach out to Henry & Williams P.C. of West Plains, MO. They have been serving clients for over 75 years, ensuring they get the compensation they deserve. They’ll fight to help you cover medical expenses and ensure that the same mistakes don’t affect another individual. Visit their website to learn more about their work with medical cases, or call (417) 256-8133 to schedule a free consultation.