From misdiagnosing an illness to inadequate training of medical personnel to operating in the wrong area or even on the wrong person, the potential causes of malpractice are endless. After suffering a medical injury, you need to discuss your legal options with an experienced trial lawyer.
When you agree to medical treatment, you do so trusting that the medical provider will make your health better, rather than worse. If you have suffered a medical injury, contact a Jefferson County medical malpractice lawyer today. An experienced legal professional can work toward receiving maximum compensation for your losses.
Types of Medical Malpractice Injuries
When doctors or other medical professionals make mistakes, the consequences are often devastating. Errors during surgery or with the prescription of medication have the potential to lead to life-long injuries or even death. In the event that you or a loved one was injured because of a doctor or medical professional’s negligence, an experienced Jefferson County medical injury attorney can recover monetary compensation on your behalf.
Generally speaking, there are six major types of medical malpractice.
Misdiagnosis
One of the most common forms of medical malpractice is a misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor incorrectly identifies the cause of a patient’s ailment. It also occurs when a doctor fails to identify any illness and asserts a patient is fine. When a doctor gives an incorrect diagnosis, the patient is at risk of their illness going untreated.
Late Diagnosis
Some illnesses prove challenging to diagnose. However, when a doctor takes multiple visits to identify an illness that should have been immediately obvious, a jury may consider it malpractice. In that case, the doctor could face liability for any damages suffered due to the delay in treatment.
Failure to Treat
The proper diagnosis is only part of the equation. If a doctor accurately identifies an illness but fails to treat it, they could face some liability for malpractice.
Surgical Error
Mistakes during surgery are far too common. These surgical errors may include damage to the body during the procedure or illness due to inadequately sterilized equipment. Unnecessary surgery, procedures on the wrong body part, or even surgery on the wrong patient are all forms of surgical error.
Birth Injuries
Injuries during childbirth are devastating for both the mother and the child. Birth injuries often relate to mistakes made by a medical professional during childbirth, or include improper prenatal care leading up to the birth.
Medical Device Failure
Medical professionals are not the only source of malpractice. In some cases, drugs or medical devices fail. When these poorly designed devices injure a patient, a Jefferson County medical malpractice attorney can hold the manufacturer responsible.
Statute of Limitations in a Jefferson County Medical Malpractice Case
The timeframe to file a medical malpractice lawsuit is not open-ended. Missouri, like all states, places a time limit on the filing of a malpractice lawsuit. Known as the statute of limitations, this law can lead to a lawsuit’s permanent dismissal if a plaintiff fails to file it on time.
In accordance with Missouri Statute Section 516.105, the time frame to file a malpractice lawsuit is two years from the date the medical error occurs.
How a Jefferson County Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help
If you have suffered a medical injury in Jefferson County due to the negligence of a doctor or other medical professional, you deserve compensation for your injuries. A skilled Jefferson County medical malpractice lawyer can help by filing a malpractice lawsuit on your behalf. To learn more, schedule a consultation right away.