Can You Name Some High-Profile Examples Of Medical Negligence?

Medical negligence can cause severe suffering and even death for a patient. You may be eligible for financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages if you are the victim of serious medical negligence.

Keep reading to find out about some of the most high-profile examples of medical misconduct and the steps you may take to seek redress and financial recompense through a medical malpractice claim. Our medical malpractice lawyers are committed to helping accident victims obtain the money they need to start over after suffering a catastrophic injury. If you want to know what your legal options are, you should get in touch with us right away for a free case examination.

Stories In The Media About Medical Errors

There has been a recent uptick in reported instances of medical malpractice. According to research conducted by Johns Hopkins Medicine, the number of deaths caused by medical negligence has nearly caught up to that of heart disease and cancer as the major causes of death in the United States. Some recent high-profile examples of medical malpractice are as follows:

In This Case, A Misdiagnosis Led To A $216.7 Million Damage Award

The medical malpractice payment paid to Allan Navarro in 2006 was among the largest of its kind in recent history. The emergency room's incorrect diagnosis of Allan Navarro's condition resulted in his permanent paralysis, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

Despite Navarro's symptoms matching those of a stroke, he was misdiagnosed with sinusitis and given painkillers when he went to the clinic. Navarro's life was irrevocably altered by the consequences of the incorrect diagnosis, and he will need to use a wheelchair for the rest of his days. As a result of the medical malpractice lawsuit, Navarro and his family were awarded a total of $116.7 million ($100.1 million in punitive damages).

Damages From A Botched Operation Total $135 Million

In 2018, $135 million in damages were granted to Faith DeGrand, a 10-year-old girl who was paralyzed as a consequence of medical wrongdoing at the Children's Hospital of Detroit Medical Center. In 2010, while having surgery for scoliosis, Faith was the victim of medical misconduct. After 10 days, the surgeon finally removed the rods he'd improperly inserted in her back. Since the accident rendered Faith paraplegic, she will require constant assistance with even the most basic tasks for the rest of her life.

 

 

Latest Successes In Medical Malpractice Cases

All types of medical negligence cases are within our legal and financial capabilities. Case examples of our firm's prominence in the field of medical malpractice include:

Inadequate Or Delayed Diagnosis

A medical malpractice attorney helped the injured person and his family win $28.5 million in damages in a court case in Tampa. Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain that can be deadly if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

Our legal team successfully negotiated a settlement of $9.278 million to compensate for losses incurred due to a tardy cancer diagnosis. The cancer was allowed to spread and destroy organs because a doctor missed it.

Delray Beach malpractice lawyers won $6.33 million for a client who had cardiac arrest and a coma. The woman's heart disease had gone untreated since she had never been diagnosed with it.

Accidental Drug Interaction

A 26-week-old premature baby was injured by a medication overdose at a Florida hospital. Our medical malpractice attorneys secured $19.2 million in compensation for the victim's loved ones.

Trauma At The Time Of Birth

We helped get a $38.75 million judgment for the family of a baby who suffered severe injuries in Florida when a physician delayed performing a C-section.

Medical malpractice attorneys can take on cases involving any type of medical error. Please get in touch with us if you or a loved one has been hurt by an avoidable medical mistake.

Why Does It Occur And What Is It?

The hazards associated with medical treatments are generally understood, and unfavorable outcomes do not always point to improper care. To prove medical malpractice, victims must show that their doctors or other healthcare providers acted negligently or below an acceptable level of care.

In order to prove medical malpractice, it is typically up to medical experts to decide whether or not a doctor committed an avoidable error or acted recklessly. There is the possibility of legal recourse for patients who suffer harm or financial loss due to the negligence of their healthcare providers.

Normal Instances Of Negligence In The Medical Field

There are many different types of medical negligence cases.

Detection Too Late

A patient's life might be in jeopardy if they don't get treatment right away for a condition that was misdiagnosed. A missed heart attack or cancer diagnosis, for instance, might be fatal.

Complications From Anesthesia And Surgery

Infection, pain, and even death are all potential outcomes of every surgical procedure. However, victims may be able to seek legal action if a surgical or anesthetic error occurs due to the carelessness of a medical expert. Here are a few instances of substandard surgical care:

• Misdiagnosis led to surgery on the wrong patient
• The operation was done on the wrong body part
• Negligence in monitoring vital signs before, during, and after surgery
• Anesthesia overdose or underdose
• Ignoring implants already inside a patient
• Poor hygiene in the workplace
• Inadequate treatment after surgery

Labor And Delivery Complications

The risk of delivery damage increases when a doctor misses the signs that indicate the necessity for an emergency C-section. When aids like forceps or vacuum pumps are utilized improperly, injuries can also occur. According to Stanford Children's Health, the following are some instances of prevalent birth injuries:

• Paralyzing facial fractures
• Brain inflammation
• Injury to the nervous system
• If labor takes too long, the baby may not get enough oxygen, which can cause permanent brain damage or retardation

Financial Losses Due To Medical Error

Plaintiffs in medical negligence claims may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of losses, making accurate damage projections challenging. Some examples of non-monetary losses are as follows:

• Sadness and pain in one's heart
• physical and emotional anguish
• Having one's quality of life diminished
• Denial of the ability to sustain life
• the removal of a limb
• Surgery often results in undesirable outcomes including scarring and deformity

Compensating victims for their out-of-pocket medical costs and other financial losses that may have resulted from an accident is what economic damages are all about.

• All current and future medical costs
• The waste of resources
• Price tags for transporting sick people
• Home and car customization costs
• Personal Funds Spent

You may be eligible for supplemental damages in your medical malpractice claim.

FAQs

How Much Does The Typical Medical Malpractice Settlement Cost?

Given that the amount of money collected in medical malpractice cases is based on the severity of the injury and the magnitude of the losses, there is no such thing as an average settlement amount. However, if your injuries were severe enough to alter your life or render you permanently incapacitated, you may be entitled to a sizeable settlement. The settlements in some high-profile cases of medical malpractice reached the millions of dollars.

Compensation for injuries sustained due to malpractice should typically include medical bills (both present and future), lost earnings, and other related costs. In addition to monetary restitution, victims may be eligible for non-economic compensation for their pain and anguish, lost enjoyment of life, and other damages. Punitive damages can be awarded by the court in extreme cases of medical misconduct.

Who Could I Possibly Sue If I Experienced Medical Malpractice?

The general public has a misconception that victims may only file lawsuits against doctors for medical negligence. However, you can sue a hospital or other medical institution, as well as any licensed doctor, for medical malpractice. You might be able to file a lawsuit if...

Medics And Surgeons

In the end, it is the doctor who is responsible for the care of their patient. An example of a situation in which a doctor might be held accountable for your losses is when he or she fails to provide an accurate diagnosis or fails to order necessary diagnostic testing. A doctor's liability for the actions of subordinate medical staff is generally limited to exceptional circumstances.

Radiologists

Patients put their trust on radiologists for the interpretation of diagnostic imaging studies like MRIs. For this reason, if a patient suffers harm because a radiologist incorrectly interprets tests or fails to disclose findings, the radiologist might be held liable for medical malpractice.

Nurses

In healthcare settings like hospitals and nursing homes, nurses typically have the most direct contact with patients. Negative outcomes are possible when nurses make mistakes, such as dispensing the wrong medication or failing to keep tabs on vital signs.

Places of medical care, including hospitals
Hospitals, urgent care centers, and other medical institutions may be held accountable for the harm caused by medical staff members who fail to provide adequate treatment to patients. Staffing clinics with knowledgeable and capable individuals is essential. If a patient is injured because of a hospital's negligence, the facility might be held responsible. This could be because of unqualified staff or unclean conditions.

Dentists

If you were hurt as a consequence of subpar dental care, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the responsible dentist. Dental malpractice can take many shapes, including but not limited to:

• The wrong tooth is being worked on
• Cancer, gum disease, and other diseases may go undetectedif
• Dangerous bacteria that can be spread from dirty environments
• Having dental procedures done that isn't necessary
• A lasting injury to a nerve can occur during dental procedures

Other Stakeholders

There might be several parties to blame when medical care goes wrong. A victim may have grounds for a lawsuit against many parties, including a surgeon, anesthesiologist, and hospital. Talking to a medical malpractice attorney from our firm will help you understand your legal options, since it can be difficult to determine who you may sue.

 

 

When Must A Lawsuit Be Filed For Medical Malpractice?

A legal representative should be sought out without delay if you or a loved one suspects that you have been the victim of medical malpractice. The statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice complaint varies from one state to the next. The time it takes to launch a case might be as short as a year, depending on the jurisdiction.

How Can I Find A Good Lawyer That Specializes In Medical Malpractice?

Referrals

Getting a recommendation from a trusted attorney, a member of your family, or a friend is an excellent way to start your search for a medical malpractice attorney.

The Internet, Or WWW

The Internet is a great place to start looking for a qualified medical malpractice attorney. The following resources may be helpful in your search for legal counsel:

• Links to medical malpractice attorneys' websites
• Avvo, for instance, is a lawyer referral service similar to the website of your state's bar organization

Can I Handle A Medical Malpractice Complaint On My Own, Or Do I Need An Attorney?

Claims for medical negligence can be complex in terms of both the law and medicine, making the process lengthy and challenging. Most or all instances involving surgical errors also need to have testimony from an expert witness. A competent medical malpractice lawyer may be able to manage your case, since they will know how to locate the necessary medical specialists who can testify on your behalf.

Victims of medical malpractice may not always be aware of all the legal formalities that must be satisfied before filing a complaint. If you fail to provide required paperwork by the deadline or make an error, the court may throw out your case. Peace of mind and the ability to concentrate on recovery rather than legal matters may result from having a competent and experienced attorney on your side.