Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional breaches their duty of care to their patient, resulting in harm or death. While these types of cases are comparatively rare, the resulting consequences could be devastating to the injured individual and their family.
A misdiagnosis or surgical area could result in years of additional medical care. You should not be responsible for the financial losses associated with medical negligence. Victims of medical malpractice face economic hardships, physical pain, and emotional suffering. Our team of lawyers are dedicated to holding medical professionals who harm their patients through their negligence liable for their misconduct.
At the Reiff Law Firm, our Bethlehem, PA medical malpractice lawyers provide professional and aggressive representation to people harmed through the negligence of their doctors, nurses, surgeons, or other medical professionals. Our staff has the resources and access to medical experts to handle even the most challenging case. Call (215) 709-6940 to review your medical malpractice claim.
Types of Medical Malpractice Claims in Bethlehem
Not every situation where the outcome is negative or where you are unhappy with your doctor’s care amounts to medical malpractice. However, there are some common situations where medical malpractice occurs. You should consult with one of our knowledgeable Bethlehem medical malpractice attorneys to determine if you have grounds for an injury claim. Below are some of the types of medical malpractice cases our firm handles.
Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose
A missed, incorrect, or delayed diagnosis could result in serious complications. If your doctor failed to diagnose or misdiagnosed your condition, you might have received ineffective treatment or no treatment at all. Depending on your illness, a delay in treatment could cause serious harm or death.
In many cases, a misdiagnosis leads to treatments that are not only not helping, they could be potentially causing harm. The key is to determine is whether a competent doctor would have made the same misdiagnosis. If a similarly trained physician would not have made the same diagnosis your doctor did, you could have been a victim of medical malpractice.
Birth Injuries
Despite advancements in technologies, childbirth still presents serious risks to both the mother and child. Unfortunately, many birth-related injuries result from negligent conduct or decisions that occur before, during, or soon after birth. Some common injuries include traumatic brain damages, bone fractures, or paralysis.
Some examples of conduct that could constitute malpractice include failing to diagnose preeclampsia, failing to identify an ectopic pregnancy, or inappropriate use of surgical instruments such as forceps.
Medication Mistakes
One of the most common kinds of medical malpractice involves medication errors. For example, a doctor might err when writing an initial prescription or fail to notice a potentially harmful interaction with another drug their patient is already taking. In some situations, a nurse or other medical professional will administer the wrong medication. However, the most common mistake is administering an improper dosage of the correct medication.
Anesthesia and Surgical Errors
While rare, anesthesia mistakes are often more dangerous than surgical mistakes. A small error by an anesthesiologist could result in permanent brain damage or death. Mistakes occur when an anesthesiologist fails to fully investigate a patient’s medical history or does not inform a patient of preoperative instructions and procedures. In some cases, an anesthesiologist will neglect to properly monitor a patient’s vital signs during a surgical procedure.
There are occasions when a surgeon makes a mistake during a procedure. In some cases, the surgeon will accidentally puncture an organ or operate on the wrong body part. However, the most common error is leaving surgical equipment, particularly surgical sponges, inside the body. Medical malpractice also occurs when nurses neglect post-operative care or when a patient is released without proper instructions regarding the care and treatment of the incision area.
When Should You Call a Bethlehem Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
It is often difficult to distinguish between a poor medical result and medical malpractice. For example, even when all the proper procedures are followed, a patient could still develop an infection after surgery. Furthermore, specific treatments might not have their intended effect. How do you know if you are a victim of medical negligence? The truth is it is sometimes almost impossible to know. However, if something seems wrong, you should contact our experience Bethlehem medical malpractice lawyers.
There are some indications that your doctor might have been negligent. If you have experienced any of the following, you should consult with an attorney.
- You received painful and invasive treatment after a misdiagnosis
- You had a negative reaction to a prescribed medication
- Your doctor failed to consult your medical history
- Your doctor quickly diagnosed a serious condition without ordering tests
- Your received ineffective treatment
- Your doctor did not prescribe treatment and your medical condition persists
- You experienced unexpected complications after surgery
- Your doctor apologized
- A family member died after a misdiagnosis, treatment, or surgery
While many of these could be attributed to reasonable mistakes or misfortune, they are times when they are the direct result of medical negligence. As a patient in the middle of an illness or treatment, it is sometimes hard to realize or see the signs of malpractice. If you believe your doctor or another healthcare provider made a serious error, contact the Reiff Law Firm immediately. Let our team of experienced attorneys evaluate your claim.
Bethlehem, PA Medical Malpractice Lawyers Offering Professional Legal Representation
Medical malpractice is a serious matter. Proving that a medical professional’s negligence caused a patient harm is difficult. At the Reiff Law Firm, our team of Bethlehem, PA medical malpractice lawyers and staff have the experience, knowledge, and resources to tackle the most challenging cases. To speak with a law firm that will aggressively fight for your rights, call (215) 709-6940.
