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Whether someone is dealing with an unknown ailment or a life-threatening emergency, they turn to doctors, nurses, and other medical staff for help. So what happens when these professionals end up putting someone further in harm’s way? In some cases, the patient may be able to file a medical malpractice claim. If a tragedy occurs and they pass away at the hands of a medical professional, their closest family members could seek compensation with the help of a wrongful death attorney. Here are some of the most common examples of wrongful death in a medical setting.

3 Common Reasons for Wrongful Death Cases

1. Surgical Mistakes

If a surgeon makes a mistake during an invasive procedure, the risks of life-threatening injuries greatly increase. Some of the most common errors include operating on the wrong person or the wrong part of the body.

If the surgeon or any of their staff leave objects behind during surgery—such as scalpels, sponges, or gauze—they may cause internal bleeding or infections that can lead to death. Other times, the environment or equipment used might not be sanitized properly, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cause serious illness.

2. Medication or Anesthesia Errors

If a doctor or specialist prescribes the wrong medication, the patient might experience life-threatening side effects, such as high blood pressure that leads to a heart attack. This could also be the fault of a pharmacist or drug manufacturer. For example, if the label prescribes too high of a dosage, the consequences could be fatal. Anesthesia—the medicine that makes a patient unconscious before surgery—is also prone to complications and occasional fatalities.

3. Communication Issues

A patient’s care isn’t handled by one individual—from the receptionist to the nurse practitioner to the surgeon and their assistants, their well-being lies in the hands of a long chain of command. Therefore, communication issues may pose a threat to health.

For example, if the doctor doesn’t communicate a diagnosis to the hospital staff, or if they discuss the right leg instead of the left, a patient could be left with a number of medical complications. There may also be communication issues between the patient and health provider, such as if a doctor ignores some of the symptoms that are mentioned, resulting in delayed treatment for a serious issue.

 

If you recently lost a family member who was receiving medical care, reach out to the personal injury attorneys at Morrison & Hughes Law Firm. This Marietta, GA, team will help you sift through the details and determine the best strategy for winning your case. They have over a decade of experience helping clients gain the compensation they deserve. To learn more about how the firm can help you in metro Atlanta, visit the website or call (404) 993-9355 to schedule a free consultation with a skilled attorney.

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