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What Is The Difference Between Medical Errors And Medical Malpractice?

Nov 01, 2021

Patients sometimes confuse medical errors with medical malpractice. These are two very different matters; thus, it is important to define both terms to help you gain a better understanding of what they mean and how they can affect you, the patient.


What Is Medical Malpractice?


When you visit a doctor or hospital, there is a level of expectation that you will be safe and protected from harm. Unfortunately, problems sometimes arise that can put you at risk of injury or worse. Most medical malpractice is straightforward, such as:


1. Applying unnecessarily excessive force during childbirth

2. Giving you too much or too little medication

3. Misdiagnosing your medical condition


Sadly, the consequences that often result from these actions prove to be devastating to the patient and their friends and family. Victims of medical malpractice should receive adequate and fair compensation for negligence.


To help you better understand medical malpractice, let’s take a moment to examine some common examples. Keep in mind that medical malpractice can get very complicated, with complex circumstances that result in harm to the patient. The examples below are simply here to help illustrate common scenarios.


Medical Malpractice Examples


Misdiagnosis


A misdiagnosis may result in you needing additional medicine, experiencing more pain, and having to pay extra medical expenses. A misdiagnosis of your injury means that your doctor or healthcare provider diagnosed your health condition incorrectly. 


Surgical Errors


Mistakes during operation may cause serious injury to you. In some cases, death may even occur. Sadly, surgical errors occur often, leading to the need for additional operations and causing unnecessary harm to the patient.


Medication Errors


Not to be confused with medical errors, medication errors refer to a patient receiving an incorrect prescription or being told to take an improper dosage. It may also mean the incorrect amount was dispensed. The results can be life-threatening and must be taken seriously.


Anesthesia Errors


Anesthesia is when medicine is used to keep the patient from feeling pain during an operation or procedure. Anesthesia errors are rare , but they do happen.


Birth Injuries


Seven out of every 1,000 children born in the United States suffer birth injuries. The consequences of birth injuries can be devastating, resulting in lifelong injuries or even death.


What Are Medical Errors?


All known medical conditions have a recommended form of treatment. Some are curable, while others are not and thus require ongoing care. When a medical error occurs, it’s simply a mistake that the practitioner made in their efforts to treat a medical condition.


For example, let’s assume you saw a doctor because you thought you had a cold. The doctor proceeded to treat you for a cold, but you later found out that you had the flu. In most cases, the doctor will promptly correct their error and provide you with the proper treatment. 


That is a simple medical error that is easily corrected. Now let’s look at the same scenario where you go in to be treated for a cold. The doctor determines that you do in fact have a cold. But instead of prescribing medications to help combat the symptoms of a cold, the doctor schedules you to have your left arm amputated. 


That’s an extreme example, but it illustrates a medical practitioner scheduling and performing an unnecessary procedure. That is medical malpractice. Of course, medical malpractice cases are seldom that cut and dry. There are often intricacies that complicate matters, which is why it’s so important to seek legal counsel if you believe you are the victim of negligence.


At the Doctor Lawyer Firm, we have combined experience in both the legal and medical fields and can give you the representation you deserve as you seek compensation for your pain and suffering.


Legal and Medical Experience You Can Trust


Matthew Sowell is one of the few Florida lawyers certified by the Florida Bar and the American Board of Professional Liability. He is also the founding chairman of the Stroke Litigation Group. Over the years, Matt has won millions of dollars in verdicts, ensuring that his clients are awarded the compensation they deserve in challenging medical malpractice cases.


Fadi Chakour is a former medical doctor who left the field to practice law in medical malpractice litigation. As a doctor, he treated many patients and loved ones who were injured due to the negligence of other physicians. Fadi’s combined medical and legal knowledge makes him a powerful advocate for injured people who are victims of medical negligence.


Get the Compensation You Deserve — Call Today



If you believe you are a victim of medical malpractice and wish to file a complaint, contact the Doctor Lawyer Firm today. The medical malpractice attorney team of Sowell & Chakour has decades of combined experience to assist with your medical-related legal matters. Call today at 1-833-MedMals or fill out their online contact form to get started.


The information in this blog post is for reference only and not legal advice. As such, you should not decide whether to contact a lawyer based on the information in this blog post. Moreover, there is no lawyer-client relationship resulting from this blog post, nor should any such relationship be implied. If you need legal counsel, please consult a lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

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