Data published by MDLinx shows that a staggering 50% of all doctors 55-plus have been sued for malpractice at some point during their careers. There are many common reasons that doctors are sued.
Obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are sued just as frequently as general surgeons. These physicians are sued most often when their pregnant patients fail to receive adequate care for their chronic illnesses and experience complications during childbirth because of it. Another reason that OB/GYNs often end up getting sued is that a fetus is injured during the birthing process. Paralysis, cerebral palsy or seizure disorders are common.
Doctors also get sued when they make surgical errors. Wrong-side surgeries are somewhat common. It’s also quite common for doctors to leave surgical instruments and gauze in patients, to sever blood vessels or to puncture organs when they’re performing operations.
Anesthesia and medication errors also both quite common. These cases of negligence are often caused by doctors failing to take into account a patient’s allergies or any complications associated with taking multiple drugs at once. Patients who are prescribed too much or too little of the right medication may suffer unintended complications that prove fatal.
Delayed diagnoses or misdiagnoses are responsible for the majority of patient injuries and deaths. Anyone who isn’t told what they’re suffering from in a timely fashion runs the risk of not getting the treatment that will ease their pain or save their life. An individual who is diagnosed with the wrong diagnosis may receive unnecessary treatment for their condition. This can cause unintended, added harm to a patient’s health.
Doctors are expected to tell patients both the benefits and the downsides of pursuing certain treatments. If a physician doesn’t provide their patient with this knowledge, then the doctor may be sued for negligence. Members of a medical staff may be held liable for their actions if a caregiver fails to practice adequate infection control.
Countless individuals in Augusta experience a decline in their health or die due to medical provider negligence each year. An attorney can explain why these types of cases should only be undertaken by Georgia lawyers who are experienced in making arguments in such complex matters.