Mistakes made by healthcare providers can have devastating consequences for patients and their families. From surgical errors to misdiagnoses, these common medical errors often lead to significant harm and may form the basis of malpractice claims. The Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys with Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. are here to help victims understand their rights and seek justice after experiencing medical negligence.
1. Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
Misdiagnosis occurs when a medical condition is incorrectly identified, while delayed diagnosis refers to a failure to identify a condition in a timely manner. Both errors prevent patients from receiving the appropriate treatment when it is most needed. These mistakes can lead to worsened conditions, prolonged suffering, or even preventable deaths.
The consequences of misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis are often severe, as patients may undergo unnecessary treatments or miss the opportunity for life-saving interventions. For example, a patient with undiagnosed cancer may not receive early treatment, allowing the disease to progress to a more advanced stage. Delayed diagnosis of critical conditions like strokes or heart attacks can result in irreversible complications or loss of life.
Some Commonly Misdiagnosed Conditions
Cancer
Early detection is critical, yet cancer is frequently misdiagnosed due to its symptoms resembling those of less serious conditions. For example, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or persistent pain may be dismissed as minor illnesses like infections or stress-related disorders. These delays in diagnosis allow the disease to progress to more advanced stages, reducing the effectiveness of available treatments and limiting survival rates.
Cancers such as lung cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer are among the most commonly misdiagnosed types. Early screening and thorough diagnostic procedures, such as biopsies or imaging, are crucial in preventing these errors. Failure to perform these tests when symptoms arise can lead to devastating outcomes for patients and their families.
Heart attacks
Heart attacks are often misdiagnosed as anxiety, indigestion, or acid reflux, particularly in women and younger patients. Women, in particular, may experience atypical symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue, or back pain, which healthcare providers may overlook or attribute to non-cardiac issues. These diagnostic errors delay the critical interventions needed to restore blood flow and prevent heart damage.
Misdiagnosed heart attacks can lead to long-term complications, including heart failure or arrhythmias, which require ongoing care and impact quality of life. Proper recognition of symptoms and timely use of diagnostic tools like electrocardiograms (ECGs) or blood tests are essential to preventing these outcomes.
Strokes
Delays in recognizing strokes often occur because symptoms, like slurred speech, numbness, or confusion, are mistaken for migraines, intoxication, or simple fatigue. Misdiagnosis can prevent patients from receiving life-saving treatments, such as clot-dissolving medications, within the crucial time window.
Strokes require immediate medical attention to minimize brain damage and improve recovery prospects. Neglecting to act on early warning signs often leads to life-altering complications, such as paralysis, cognitive impairments, or speech difficulties. Awareness of stroke symptoms and prompt diagnostic testing, like CT scans or MRIs, are vital for effective treatment.
2. Surgical Errors
Surgical errors are among the most devastating medical mistakes, often leading to severe complications or life-threatening injuries. These errors can include operating on the wrong site, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, or performing an unnecessary procedure. Patients who suffer from these mistakes frequently face additional surgeries, prolonged recovery periods, and long-term health challenges.
The causes of surgical errors often stem from negligence, such as insufficient preoperative planning, fatigue, or miscommunication among medical staff. Surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists may all bear responsibility in these cases, depending on their role in the mistake. Victims may be entitled to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and emotional trauma caused by the error.
3. Medication Errors
Medication errors occur when patients are prescribed the wrong medication, given incorrect dosages, or administered drugs that negatively interact with their condition. These mistakes can result in serious side effects, overdoses, or failure to treat the underlying medical issue. Vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly, are particularly at risk for harm from medication errors.
Causes of medication errors often include poor communication between healthcare providers, unclear prescriptions, or inadequate patient monitoring. In hospitals, errors may also occur due to the mislabeling of medications or improper administration methods. Victims of medication errors can seek compensation for medical complications, additional treatment costs, and emotional suffering.
4. Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can have devastating consequences for both newborns and mothers, resulting in lifelong medical conditions or disabilities. These injuries often occur due to improper fetal monitoring, failure to perform a timely C-section, or the misuse of delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors. Conditions such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, and maternal hemorrhaging are common outcomes of medical negligence during labor and delivery.
Negligence in prenatal care, such as failing to diagnose gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, can also contribute to birth injuries. Medical providers are expected to follow established protocols to protect the health and safety of both mother and child. Families affected by birth injuries often face significant emotional and financial burdens, making legal recourse an important option to secure compensation.
5. Anesthesia Errors
Errors in administering anesthesia can lead to severe complications, including brain damage, nerve injuries, or death. These mistakes may involve administering too much or too little anesthesia, failing to monitor the patient’s vital signs, or overlooking pre-existing medical conditions that increase risks. Even minor errors can result in significant harm, such as prolonged unconsciousness or dangerous allergic reactions.
Anesthesia errors are often preventable and stem from a lack of attention to detail or poor communication among the surgical team. Anesthesiologists must conduct thorough preoperative evaluations to identify any risk factors before administering drugs. Victims of anesthesia errors may be entitled to compensation for their medical costs, pain and suffering, and long-term disabilities caused by the negligence.
Other Common Types of Medical Errors Leading to Malpractice Claims
Emergency Room Errors
Emergency rooms are fast-paced environments where quick decisions are crucial, but errors often occur due to miscommunication, staff fatigue, or overcrowding. Mistakes such as misdiagnosing a critical condition, failing to order necessary tests, or administering incorrect treatments can have life-altering consequences. Patients in emergency situations rely on accurate and timely care, making these errors particularly devastating.
Common emergency room errors include failing to diagnose heart attacks, strokes, or severe infections in time to administer life-saving treatment. Overlooked symptoms or improper triage can also lead to worsened outcomes or delayed care. Victims of emergency room negligence may pursue compensation for medical expenses, additional treatments, and the emotional toll caused by the mistakes.
Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Errors
Errors in radiology and diagnostic imaging, such as misinterpreting scans or failing to detect abnormalities, can result in delayed or improper treatment. These mistakes often occur when radiologists overlook signs of cancer, fractures, or internal bleeding, leaving the patient vulnerable to further harm. Diagnostic errors in imaging can significantly reduce treatment options and worsen a patient’s prognosis.
The root causes of radiology errors include inadequate training, equipment malfunctions, or rushed evaluations due to high caseloads. Patients who experience harm from these errors may require additional procedures, increasing their financial and emotional burdens. Legal recourse can help victims recover damages for prolonged suffering, unnecessary treatments, and other related costs.
Failure to Monitor Patients Post-Procedure
Failing to monitor patients after surgery or medical procedures is a critical error that can result in severe complications. Issues such as infections, internal bleeding, or respiratory distress often arise in the hours following a procedure and require immediate attention. When medical staff neglect to track a patient’s vital signs or respond to warning signs, the results can be catastrophic.
Post-procedure monitoring is especially crucial for high-risk patients or those recovering from complex surgeries. A lack of oversight can lead to extended hospital stays, further medical interventions, or even preventable fatalities. Victims or their families may be eligible to pursue claims for damages, including additional medical costs, pain and suffering, and loss of income due to negligence.
Failure to Obtain Informed Consent
Informed consent is a patient’s right to understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a medical procedure before agreeing to it. This process allows patients to make informed decisions about their care based on a full understanding of their options. Failing to obtain informed consent violates a patient’s rights and can result in harm that could have been avoided.
When informed consent is not obtained, patients may experience complications they were not warned about, leading to feelings of betrayal and frustration. For example, undergoing a surgical procedure without being informed of potential risks or side effects can have devastating consequences. Legal action in these cases not only helps protect patient rights but also works to prevent future violations by holding negligent providers accountable.
The Impact of Medical Errors on Patients and Families
Medical errors often place a significant physical, emotional, and financial burden on patients and their families. These mistakes can lead to chronic pain, permanent disabilities, or prolonged recovery periods that disrupt daily life. The consequences of negligence extend beyond the individual, affecting loved ones who must adapt to new caregiving roles or financial challenges.
Seeking justice through a malpractice claim can provide compensation for both economic and non-economic damages to address these burdens while holding negligent providers accountable. Below, we explore the various ways medical errors affect patients and families in greater detail.
Physical Consequences of Medical Errors
Physically, medical errors can have devastating effects on patients. Chronic pain caused by surgical errors, untreated conditions, or misdiagnoses often requires ongoing medical care and rehabilitation. In some cases, patients may suffer permanent disabilities that limit their ability to work, care for themselves, or enjoy activities they once loved.
The recovery process for physical injuries caused by medical errors can be long and arduous. Patients may face additional surgeries, therapy sessions, or specialized treatments to address complications. These physical challenges often alter a person’s quality of life and require significant adjustments for both patients and their families.
Emotional Toll on Patients and Families
The emotional impact of medical errors is often profound. Patients may experience anger, sadness, or anxiety as they come to terms with the harm they endured. Trust in healthcare providers can be deeply shaken, making it difficult for patients to seek medical care in the future.
Families are also affected emotionally as they witness their loved one’s pain and struggle to navigate the consequences of negligence. Caregivers may feel overwhelmed or frustrated as they juggle new responsibilities and adjust to life after a preventable injury. These emotional challenges often create additional stress, further compounding the impact of medical errors.
Financial Burdens of Medical Negligence
Financially, medical errors frequently result in significant expenses. Patients may incur costs for additional treatments, rehabilitation, or long-term care needs caused by the negligence. These unexpected medical bills often create financial strain, especially for families already facing the challenges of caregiving.
Lost income is another common issue, as both patients and their loved ones may be unable to work due to the injury or caregiving responsibilities. This loss of financial stability can make it difficult to manage daily expenses or plan for the future. Pursuing a malpractice claim can help recover compensation to alleviate these financial burdens and provide families with the resources they need to rebuild their lives.
How an Attorney Can Help With a Malpractice Claim
Medical malpractice cases are complex and require a thorough understanding of negligence, causation, and state-specific laws. Proving negligence involves demonstrating that a healthcare provider’s actions fell below the accepted standard of care, directly causing harm to the patient. These cases often rely on expert testimony and detailed evidence to establish liability and support the victim’s claim.
Take Action if You’ve Been Harmed by a Medical Error
If you suffered harm due to a preventable medical mistake, you do not have to face the consequences alone. A Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer with Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. can help you understand your rights and take decisive steps toward securing the compensation you deserve. Call today or use our online contact form to schedule your free consultation and move forward with confidence.