The Most Common Medical Errors In Jacksonville, FL
Medical malpractice claims are typically based on the harm or injuries caused by medical errors or medical negligence. Medical errors occur in all types of healthcare and medical facilities. You can be the victim of a medical error in Jacksonville as a patient of a:
- Hospital
- Doctor’s office
- Nursing home
- Pharmacy
- Medical center
- Dentist office
- Therapy facility
- Diagnostic facility
- Lab
You can also be injured because of a medical error while receiving treatment in your home from in-home medical care. If you were injured because of a medical error, you could be entitled to compensation for damages. A Jacksonville medical error lawyer can help you pursue a claim.
What Is a Medical Error?
There are many types of medical errors. Examples of medical errors include:
- Failing to complete an intended course of treatment
- Implementing the wrong course of treatment
- Deviating from a process of care that results in harm to the patient
- Acts or omissions that contribute to an unintended consequence during a procedure
One study by John Hopkins found 250,000 people die per year in the United States because of medical errors. The study suggested that medical errors were the third cause of death in the country. Additionally, it is estimated that 1.2 million people are harmed each year because of errors made by medical professionals.
What Are the Most Common Medical Errors in Jacksonville, FL?
Understanding how a medical error can injure you can help you know when to call a Jacksonville personal injury attorney for help. Common medical errors that kill and injure patients include:
Medication Errors
The most common medication errors involve giving a patient the wrong medication or incorrect dosage. However, nursing homes and hospitals can also skip doses of medication, which can harm a patient. Another common type of medication error is failing to check for drug interactions or known allergic reactions before giving a patient medication.
Diagnostic Errors
Diagnostic errors occur in labs, doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other medical settings. Errors can occur when testing samples, such as blood and urine samples. Diagnostic errors also occur when using imaging equipment, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds.
Common diagnostic errors include:
- Failing to perform the correct diagnostic test
- Delays in ordering diagnostic tests
- Errors when reading test results
- Using defective medical equipment to perform tests
- Errors made during the diagnostic test
Delays in treatment and incorrect treatment resulting from diagnostic errors can cause death and injury to a patient. Some patients may be misdiagnosed because of diagnostic errors.
Labor & Delivery Errors
Birth injuries occur when doctors, nurses, and medical staff fail to monitor the mother and baby during labor and delivery. A doctor may fail to order a C-section or identify risks that can increase problems. Delays in contacting a specialist and errors made with vacuums and forceps are also common birth errors.
Surgical Errors
Errors during surgery are a common cause of medical malpractice lawsuits. Examples of surgical errors include:
- Leaving foreign objects inside a patient
- Anesthesia errors
- Operating on the wrong patient
- Performing surgery on the incorrect body part
- Failing to monitor a patient
- Operating on a patient while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Performing surgery without sufficient rest or sleep
Surgical errors can cause permanent disabilities, impairments, and wrongful deaths. The hospital or medical facility can also be held liable for errors by surgeons or surgical staff.
Failing To Obtain Informed Consent
Patients have a right to be informed about a procedure or treatment before agreeing to proceed. Doctors owe a duty of care to provide sufficient information about the procedure or treatment for the patient to decide whether to proceed, including information about the risks, alternative treatments, and anticipated benefits of the treatment. If the patient sustains an injury because of a lack of consent, the doctor can be liable for damages.
Infections and Secondary Complications
A patient can develop an infection because a medical provider fails to monitor the patient. At the first sign of infections or complications, prompt diagnosis and treatment are required to prevent further harm.
Using unsterilized instruments and failing to maintain a sanitary environment can also cause infections. Failing to wash hands, wearing clean gloves, and working on a patient while sick can cause infections and complications.
Other Types of Medical Errors
Examples of other medical errors that could be the basis for a medical malpractice claim include:
- Communication errors
- Failing to refer patients to specialists
- Cancer misdiagnosis
- Emergency room errors
- Hospital negligence
- Never events
- Using damaged equipment
Suing a medical professional or doctor for medical malpractice requires you to prove that the person breached their duty of care. The breach of duty must have been a direct and proximate cause of your injury or harm.
Medical malpractice claims are complicated personal injury cases. Therefore, you must have medical experts to assist with your case. Working with an experienced Jacksonville medical malpractice lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and suffering.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Medical Error in Jacksonville, FL?
Medical malpractice is a type of personal injury. You can receive reimbursement for your financial losses and economic damages, including:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Nursing care and personal assistance
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Loss of income, wages, benefits, and earning capacity
Victims of medical malpractice can also recover compensation for their non-economic damages. Pain and suffering damages can include:
- Emotional distress
- Physical agony
- Mental anguish
- Decrease in quality of life and enjoyment of life
- Impairments, disabilities, disfigurement, and scarring
Medical malpractice lawsuits are subject to the Florida statute of limitations. In most cases, you must file a medical malpractice lawsuit within two years of the malpractice. However, there are exceptions for children and the delayed discovery of injuries.
If you do not file a lawsuit before time expires, you lose the right to pursue legal action. Therefore, it is always best to seek legal advice as soon as you suspect your injury was caused by medical malpractice.
Contact the Jacksonville Medical Malpractice Law Firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra medical malpractice law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and its surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W. Forsyth St. #170
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167