Unusual forms of medical malpractice
In most cases, when someone says medical malpractice, people automatically think of doctors misdiagnosing something, giving the wrong type of prescription, or even removing the wrong organ during surgery. While these are examples of medical malpractice, they are really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the various types of Med Mal.
Med Mal comes in various forms and while most cases are fairly obvious, others need close scrutiny. The three areas that are often completely overlooked are birth injuries, medication errors, and dental malpractice.
Unfortunately, birth trauma/injuries are quite common and cause the most anxiety for parents. Many parents don’t realize what went wrong, or if they do, they don’t realize that it may have been the treating doctor’s fault. Most say nothing, and certainly do not seek legal advice to file a birth injury claim.
Birth injuries are often the result of damage to the fetus during delivery; for example, as a result of a McRobert maneuver to assist a child whose shoulder impinges on the mother’s pelvis. Some of the injuries that can arise during this method of delivery are facial injuries, brachial plexus injury, and Erb’s palsy.
Statistics show that approximately 6 injuries occur each year in the US for every 1,000 live births. These statistics also cover other injuries, such as the baby slipping from the doctor’s (or other health care professional’s) grasp or falling out of a hospital bassinet. Other well-known personal injuries include an improperly performed cesarean section and an inadequate response to fetal distress. Med Mal in these cases has the potential to mean permanent lifelong injury or illness for the child.
If you suspect you are the victim of a Med Mal birth injury, don’t wait until it’s too late to contact an experienced litigator; one that will ensure that you receive an award that covers your child’s medical bills.
Another little known or mentioned category of Med Mal is dental neglect. This happens when a dentist or oral surgeon does not provide the proper level of care and the end result is injury to the patient. Dental malpractice can include unnecessary/improper treatment, improper use of dental instruments, nerve damage as a result of an incorrect injection, or failure to diagnose gum disease. In many cases, what started out as a routine visit ended up as an unwanted root canal procedure.
Many people don’t think to report what may be Med Mal from the dentist because they feel like things “just happened.” Never hesitate to call a Med Mal attorney about situations like this, as you may have a good Med Mal claim. Your attorney will assess your case and advise you.