Medical negligence can have devastating consequences for patients and their families. Understanding the different types of medical negligence will allow patients to recognise when they have not received the correct standard of care.
There are several common types of medical negligence, a few of which I will explore below:
Surgical Errors
Surgical errors are among the most serious types of medical negligence. These mistakes can include performing the wrong procedure, operating on the wrong site, or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient’s body.
Example: A patient undergoing surgery for a hernia discovered that surgeons had mistakenly operated on the wrong side of the abdomen. This error not only required the patient to undergo additional surgery to correct the mistake that had been made but also caused prolonged recovery and significant emotional distress.
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare professional fails to identify a condition accurately or diagnoses a patient with the wrong illness. This can lead to improper treatment, worsening health, and unnecessary suffering.
Example: A patient experiencing severe abdominal pain was diagnosed with gastritis instead of an ovarian cyst. The delay in reaching the correct diagnosis resulted in the cyst rupturing, requiring emergency surgery. Had the correct diagnosis been made earlier, the rupture could have been avoided, reducing the patient’s risk of complications.
Medication Mistakes
Medication errors can happen at different stages of the prescribing process, including prescribing the wrong medication, incorrect dosages, or failing to consider patient allergies.
Example: A patient was given a strong painkiller without checking their medical history, which included a known allergy to that medication. The patient suffered a severe allergic reaction that meant that the patient needed to have emergency treatment.
Birth Injuries
Negligence during childbirth can lead to severe consequences for both mother and child. This can include improper care during delivery or a failure to respond to signs of distress in the baby.
Example: A healthcare provider failed to recognise foetal distress during labour, resulting in a delayed emergency caesarean section. The baby suffered brain damage due to a lack of oxygen, leading to lifelong disabilities.
Understanding your rights
If you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of medical negligence, it’s important to understand your rights. Patients are entitled to a standard of care that is reasonable and competent. When this standard is not met, you may have grounds for a medical negligence claim.
If you would like further advice from a member of our Medical Negligence Team, please visit https://www.maxwellhodge.co.uk/medical-negligence/ for details how to contact us.
