It’s said that to err is human, and that holds of Harrisburg medical professionals. Mistakes happen at local hospitals such as Hampden Medical Center, but not every medical error is considered medical malpractice. Medical malpractice claims arise when the treating doctor or hospital facility takes (or fails to take) some action that other reasonable medical providers in the same circumstances would have taken, and you suffer damages as a result.
There is a fine line between medical errors and medical malpractice in Pennsylvania. Still, the experienced medical malpractice lawyers at Marzella & Associates can help you recover damages in either case.
Medical Errors v. Medical Malpractice
All doctors make mistakes at some point in their careers, especially during the diagnostic process. Medical errors occur when a medical professional makes a mistake, but most other physicians in that same situation would have made a similar error. For example, many conditions present with similar symptoms, and failing to diagnose an extremely rare genetic condition may be a medical error, but not medical malpractice. If no other reasonable doctor with the same experience and training could have discovered the condition before it worsened, you can not have a claim for medical malpractice.
Further, you must suffer damages due to the medical mistake to support malpractice litigation. Administering the wrong pain medication is an example of a medical error, but if the incorrectly administered drug does not cause harm, you do not have a medical malpractice claim. Qualified Harrisburg medical negligence lawyers will work with medical experts to review the facts of your case to determine whether you were the victim of medical malpractice.
Standard of Care Applicable to Medical Professionals in Harrisburg
Medical malpractice claims arise when doctors or hospitals fall below the applicable standard of care in their field and, as a result, a patient suffers new harm or a worsening condition. This is higher than the general negligence standard and requires expert testimony to be established in all but ‘never event’ cases. ‘Never events’ are those where malpractice is clear enough to the reasonable person, such as operating on the wrong patient, that liability is assumed.
Types of Medical Negligence Cases
The following are examples of the most common medical malpractice claims in Pennsylvania:
- Birth Injuries: These often include failing to perform a timely C-section and negligent use of forceps/vacuums.
- Anesthesia Errors: Many surgical errors are caused by the incorrect administration of anesthesia or monitoring of sedated patients. These cases typically result in traumatic brain injuries.
- Misdiagnosis: Includes failing to diagnose a condition that other reasonable doctors would have diagnosed and treated with a better patient outcome.
- Surgical Mistakes: These often include failing to control excessive bleeding, negligently causing nerve damage, and surgical site infection.
- Medication Errors: Administering the wrong medication type, dose, or combination.
If you suffered any harm from the above errors, you may have a medical malpractice claim against Harrisburg medical providers such as Hampden Hospital.
Connect with a Dedicated Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Harrisburg
Doctors often try to pass off medical malpractice as a simple error, but this is not always true. Only another qualified medical expert and experienced malpractice lawyer should analyze these claims. Discuss your potential medical malpractice case with our dedicated Harrisburg injury lawyers for free by calling 717-876-8681 or contact us online.