Most doctors are very careful when treating patients. They take the time to read patients’ charts, diagnose the medical issues, suggest the best course of treatment, and prescribe the proper medications. Unfortunately, some doctors aren’t so careful. They cut corners or make negligent mistakes that can injure you.
If a doctor or other medical professional has injured you, you might be wondering whether you have a case. Not every medical mistake or injury will qualify you to file a malpractice claim. You will need to have suffered measurable harm, and you will need to have suffered actual damages because of it.
Does Your Injury Affect Your Case?
In Louisiana, the type and severity of your injury will affect your medical malpractice case.
For instance, what if you were prescribed the wrong medication or dosage, but you noticed the error after taking the medicine for one day and never got sick because you immediately stopped taking the medicine?
Was what happened to you wrong? Absolutely. If you hadn’t noticed that it was the wrong medication, you could have gotten sick. Because you didn’t get sick, though, you don’t have a malpractice case. This shows you that the extent of your injury does matter—not just the fact that a doctor made an error.
Here are some of the most common injuries caused by medical negligence:
Childbirth Injuries
There can be issues of medical malpractice throughout the mother’s pregnancy, or there can be issues during the child’s birth that injure the child or mother.
Some medical malpractice claims during childbirth relate to ordering an unnecessary Cesarean section, improper use of forceps, inappropriate reaction to signs of fetal distress, umbilical cord issues, or birth issues due to the size of the baby.
Medication Errors
Medication issues can seriously harm your health. It’s imperative that doctors prescribe you the correct medication, the proper dosage, and a medication you aren’t allergic to and which won’t react with another medication you’re taking.
Surgical Errors
Doctors can make mistakes during surgery that aren’t necessarily negligent, but if they are and you can prove it, you can file a medical malpractice claim. Surgical negligence could include unnecessary surgery, operating on the wrong body part, or providing substandard surgical treatment.
Misdiagnosis and Failure to Diagnose
Many people’s illnesses can be made much worse when a doctor fails to diagnose or misdiagnoses them. Early detection is critical to halting deadly diseases. Your health and life could have been put at risk because of a doctor’s oversight.
Get in Touch with a Baton Rouge Medical Malpractice Attorney
No matter what type of injury you’ve suffered, if it occurred at the hands of a negligent healthcare provider, you are owed justice. You can file a malpractice claim against those responsible for your injuries and damages. These types of claims are more difficult than standard personal injury cases. It’s advisable to have help with your case.
Reach out to Spencer Calahan Injury Lawyers to receive a free case assessment. Our attorneys know how to hold a negligent doctor accountable for the suffering you’ve endured. Call 225-387-2323 or fill out the online contact form below.
