Types of Medical Malpractice

    PHOENIX, AZ, November 05, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Just like anyone else, physicians, nurses and other medical personnel sometimes make mistakes. They sometimes overlook the obvious and they can neglect to meticulously provide the proper care patients expect. However, unlike others, the mistakes made by medical personnel can lead to grave consequences for patients. In fact, it is reported that medical malpractice mistakes lead to 1.3 million patient injuries and 200,000 fatalities each year.

Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is an umbrella term that refers to harm done to a patient due to a negligent act or omission by a medical professional or medical facility. A physician, hospital or even local, state or federal agencies that run medical facilities can be held accountable for patient harm or wrongful death. Malpractice lawsuits are designed to hold medical personnel and facilities liable for their actions and provide just compensation for victims and their families.

Types of Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can occur in virtually any type of medical situation, from a simple medical test to a complex procedure or surgery. Victims of malpractice can suffer a lifetime of serious complications or even wrongful death as a result of the negligence of medical personnel. Some common types of medical malpractice include:

• Emergency room errors
• Surgical errors
• Obstetrical errors
• Anesthesia errors
• Prescription errors
• Equipment errors
• Diagnosis errors
• General lack of observation

Malpractice lawsuits have been successfully filed for situations where medical personnel were responsible for such actions as:

• Leaving sponges or surgical instruments inside the body
• Operating on the wrong body part
• Performing avoidable surgeries
• Using incorrect surgical techniques
• Puncturing a nerve, artery or organ during surgery
• Incorrectly administering anesthesia
• Improperly delivering a baby which lead to brain damage, Cerebral Palsy or Erb's Palsy
• Prescribing or administering wrong medications or incorrect dosages
• Failing to correctly monitor a patient for side effects or post-surgery infections
• Failing to correctly diagnose a symptom of a disease or condition (such as heart attack, stroke or cancer)
• Intentionally harming a patient

Filing a Timely Lawsuit

There is a statute of limitations on the filing of medical malpractice lawsuits. This timeframe varies from state to state, but it can range from six months to four years from the date of injury. If a lawsuit is not filed within this time limit, the victim (or the victim's family) may be unable to receive compensation for injuries, medical bills, lost wages or pain and suffering.

If you feel that medical malpractice is to blame for a loved one's medical injury or wrongful death, it is important to hire an experienced malpractice attorney to handle your case.

Please visit the website of the experienced medical malpractice attorneys of Snyder & Wenner, P.C. in Phoenix, Arizona for free case evaluation.

Source: Snyder & Wenner, P.C.
Website: http://www.snyderwenner.com

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