The term medical malpractice is most often associated with a doctor’s failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis of an illness, as well as surgical and other medical mistakes. But there are many other ways in which a physician’s negligence can cause injury or harm to a patient. One of these is failure to prevent injury, and it is just as dangerous as any other type of medical malpractice.
In many cases, doctors not only have to treat an illness or injury in its current state, but they also must have the foresight to take appropriate measures to prevent subsequent injury or complications as well. This means taking precautions such as proper follow up examinations and monitoring of a patient’s condition. When this is not done, complications can arise resulting in further injury or harm, or even death to the patient.
Failure to prevent injury can stem from any of the following medical errors:
- Failure to refer patient to a specialist
- Misdiagnosis of an injury or illness
- Failure to properly treat an injury
- Inadequate or lack of follow-up treatment
- Failure to diagnose an injury or illness
- Prescription errors
- Delayed diagnosis
- Failure to prevent blood clot
Certainly there are any number of additional scenarios in which a doctor’s negligence can lead to his or her failure to prevent injury to their patient, but these are the most common. Medical attorneys are experienced in recognizing these cases and know the best way to pursue justice for the victim. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of a doctor’s mistake, contact a lawyer right away to discuss your rights.
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