When you seek medical treatment, you trust your doctors and healthcare providers to put your safety first. Unfortunately, mistakes can happen, and sometimes those mistakes rise to the level of medical malpractice. If you’ve been asking yourself, “Do I have a malpractice case?” here are five common medical negligence signs that may indicate it’s time to contact a medical malpractice lawyer.
1. A Delayed or Missed Diagnosis
One of the most common red flags is when a serious condition is not diagnosed in time; or not diagnosed at all. If another physician later identifies the problem that should have been caught earlier, you may have grounds for a malpractice case. Delayed or missed diagnoses can lead to worsening conditions, unnecessary suffering, and even life-threatening outcomes.
2. Treatment That Makes Things Worse
While some side effects are expected, you shouldn’t feel significantly worse because of improper treatment. If the care you received aggravated your condition or caused new injuries, this could be a sign of medical negligence.
3. Surgical Errors
Surgery always carries risks, but blatant mistakes; like operating on the wrong body part, leaving instruments inside the patient, or causing avoidable complications, may point to malpractice. These errors can have lasting physical and emotional consequences.
4. Medication Mistakes
Being prescribed the wrong drug, the wrong dosage, or a medication that negatively interacts with another prescription can be extremely dangerous. If you suffered harm because of a preventable medication error, that’s a strong indicator of negligence.
5. Lack of Informed Consent
Before undergoing treatment or a procedure, your doctor must explain the potential risks and alternatives. If you were not fully informed and suffered unexpected complications, you may have a malpractice claim.
Do I Have a Malpractice Case?
Recognizing the signs is the first step. The next step is speaking with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer who can review your medical records, consult experts, and determine if negligence occurred. Because malpractice cases are complex, having a knowledgeable attorney on your side is critical to securing the compensation you deserve.
If you believe you’ve experienced any of these medical negligence signs, don’t wait. Contact the experienced attorneys at The Law Offices of Parente & Norem today at 312.641.5926 or fill out a contact form here on our website for a free consultation. We are here to fight for your rights and help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
