Types of Medical Malpractice that Result in Lifelong Disability
Medical malpractice can have devastating consequences, including lifelong disability. At Zucker & Regev, P.C. in Brooklyn, NY, our attorneys represent victims of medical malpractice so victims can be compensated for their losses. In this blog post, we discuss the types of medical malpractice that result in lifelong disability.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can have serious consequences, including lifelong disability. If a medical condition is misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late, it can lead to the wrong treatment being administered or lack of treatment, which can worsen the condition and cause permanent damage.
For example, a person that has a stroke may suffer permanent brain damage if the stroke is not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Surgical Errors
Surgical errors can result in lifelong disability. When a surgeon makes a mistake during a surgical procedure, it can cause permanent damage to the patient's body, including nerve damage, paralysis, loss of function, and other disabilities. Some common surgical errors that can lead to disability include operating on the wrong body part or the wrong patient, failing to control bleeding during surgery, or damaging healthy parts of the body such as the nerves or organs during surgery.
Medication Errors
When a healthcare provider administers the wrong medication or the wrong dose of medication, it can cause serious harm to the patient, including permanent damage to organs or systems, long-term complications, and other disabilities. Medication errors that can lead to disability include administering the wrong medication or the wrong dose of medication. In addition, failure to consider potential drug interactions or contraindications, adjust medication dosages for patients with specific health conditions, or provide appropriate monitoring of medication use can cause serious long-term injuries to patients.
Anesthesia Errors
When an anesthesiologist makes a mistake, it can result in serious medical damage. For example, administering too much anesthesia can cause brain damage or cardiac arrest. Administering too little anesthesia can cause patients to wake up during surgery or experience pain. Failing to monitor the patient's vital signs during surgery can result in brain damage, nerve damage, or cardiac arrest. In addition, if medical professionals don't provide appropriate post-operative care, it can result in complications or prolonged disability.
Birth Injuries
Birth injuries that can lead to disability can be the result of oxygen deprivation, which can cause brain damage, cerebral palsy, or developmental delays. Trauma during delivery can cause nerve damage, bone fractures, or spinal cord injuries. Infections or sepsis can cause brain damage, hearing loss, or developmental delays. Hemorrhaging can cause brain damage or organ failure.
If a healthcare provider fails to provide appropriate prenatal care, fails to diagnose and treat potential complications during delivery, or uses improper medical instruments, and a baby suffers a lifelong disability as a result, the family may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Contact Our Attorneys
It's important to note that medical malpractice cases can be complex and require expert legal and medical analysis to determine if negligence occurred. If you or a loved one has suffered a lifelong disability due to medical malpractice, it's important to seek legal advice from a qualified attorney. Contact Zucker & Regev, P.C. in Brooklyn at (718) 624-1211 or send us a message online to schedule a case review.