Types of Medical Malpractice Cases in Columbus, Ohio
Medical malpractice involves several forms of errors and negligence in healthcare. The Columbus, OH, medical malpractice attorneys at Beausay & Nichols Law Firm have the legal training to identify and prove the legal elements of a malpractice case. We regularly bring claims against liable physicians, surgeons, hospitals, nurses, nursing homes, chiropractors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, and more.
Whether the liable party is an individual provider or a large medical facility, we have the resources and skills to stand up for your patient rights. However, Ohio law only allows one year to take legal action for medical malpractice, so you must act quickly in contacting our firm. Here are some common types of medical malpractice cases that our firm handles in Columbus, Ohio:
Anesthesia Errors
Sometimes, there can be errors in administering anesthesia, which may result in severe consequences. Such issues mainly cause victims brain damage, intense pain, nerve damage, or even death. Examples of anesthesia mistakes include:
- Administering incorrect dosages
- Failure to monitor the patient’s vital signs during the procedure
- Improper intubation
- Failure to prevent anesthesia problems
These errors can occur before, during, or after surgery. Because patients are often unconscious, symptoms of distress may go unnoticed. If an anesthesiologist fails to act appropriately or makes a preventable mistake, the results can be life-altering, and may be grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Surgical Errors
There are many possible mistakes during surgery, which can lead to permanent injuries or life-threatening complications. Complications in surgical procedures involve:
- Operation on the wrong part or wrong patient
- Leaving surgical instruments or sponges inside the patient’s body
- Performing unnecessary procedures
- Failing to follow safety protocols
- Inadequate postoperative care
- Damage to organs or nerves
- Surgical instruments were not sterile
Note that a surgical error is different from the risks associated with surgical procedures. Your doctor should inform you of any standard risks, so you can provide informed consent. However, if the doctor causes an injury that could have been avoided during your surgery and is not a known risk, you may have a case.
Failure to Diagnose
Failure to diagnose a condition that should have been identified can result in worsening symptoms or new complications. Some issues associated with failure to diagnose include overlooking symptoms of serious conditions or not ordering necessary tests. Misinterpreting test results, which leads to failure to diagnose, can also constitute medical malpractice.
Failure to Treat
Even when a condition is correctly diagnosed, failing to provide timely and appropriate treatment can lead to preventable complications or death. For instance, delayed referrals to specialists or inadequate follow-up care after a procedure could lead to a malpractice case.
Lack of Informed Consent
It is the right of patients to be fully made aware of potential risks, benefits, and alternatives of any medical procedure. If your doctor doesn't obtain informed consent before treatment and something happens, you might have a case. A good example is when patients undergo procedures they would not have consented to if fully informed.
Diagnostic Errors
Reports indicate that around 40,000 to 80,000 patients annually are injured or die due to diagnostic errors. An incorrect diagnosis can delay necessary treatment and expose patients to unnecessary procedures.
Also, delays in diagnosing a condition can significantly affect treatment outcomes. When early signs of diseases cannot be diagnosed due to delays, the patient might sue if they suffer harm as a result.
Birth Injuries
Hospital or doctor’s negligence during childbirth may cause injuries to both the baby and the mother. Negligence that may lead to birth injury lawsuits in Columbus, Ohio, includes:
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
- Failure to monitor fetal distress
- Postpartum infections
- Wrongful birth
- Oxygen deprivation
- Failure to protect the mother
Incorrect Medication
Medication errors can cause significant harm to the patients. Some common medication errors include:
- Omissions
- Wrong timing
- Incorrect route of administration
- Drug administered to the wrong patient
- Unauthorized medication
- Ignoring potential drug interactions
- Wrong dose prescription
- Improper dosage
