Medical negligence claims come in many shapes and sizes, but there are some types of claims that are more common than others. These include but are not limited to:

Medication Errors

When a doctor or nurse prescribes or administers the wrong type of medication, or the incorrect dosage of the correct medication, causing harm to a patient. This counts as medical negligence. This may also apply to a pharmacist who incorrectly fills a prescription and causes harm, or a hospital staff member who fails to inquire of a patient about any medication allergies.

Misdiagnoses or Delayed Diagnoses

Misdiagnoses or a failure to diagnose a serious ailment are fairly common medical claims. Such misdiagnosis can cost a patient their life, or cause them to suffer unnecessary pain and suffering due to receiving the wrong treatment options and/or delayed treatment. Similarly, when a major diagnosis is delayed until the point where treatment options are severely limited.

Birth Injuries

Most mothers give birth without issue, but occasionally a doctor, nurse, or delivery room attendant will make a mistake by failing to properly monitor the baby or mother or use the wrong tools or techniques to help the baby if complications occur. These issues can be detrimental to the health and development of a newborn.

Surgical Errors

Negligence-caused errors that occur during surgery and cause harm to the patient have consequences. These errors can range from failing to properly monitor a patient during surgery, to not using the right equipment, leaving equipment or items such as sponges inside the patient, or operating on the wrong limb/body part.

Anesthesia Errors

When a surgical patient undergoes anesthesia, the doctors and attending anesthesiologist have a duty to monitor the patient, be aware of any potential risk factors the patient may have, and properly handle any anesthesia-related complications which may occur. When this duty isn’t met, legal recourse can be taken.