Patients who suffer an unexpected health decline need immediate facts, because verbal explanations from hospital staff rarely give the full story. Indiana law grants you access to your medical history. This means you can obtain your complete files when an error...
Why do some doctors ignore patients?
A concerning number of medical malpractice cases stem from a doctor dismissing/ignoring a patient. A patient may inform a doctor of a symptom or concern, but the doctor makes it seem like it’s all in the patient’s head or not as bad as they are claiming. This is...
How medical bias can lead to medical malpractice
Physicians, nurses and other medical professionals have an ethical obligation to their patients. They should treat them all with dignity and seek to provide care that at least does no harm, even if they cannot resolve the patient's medical challenges. Unfortunately,...
Can doctors perform surgery without your consent?
When you go in for surgery, you trust the medical team to care for you responsibly. But can a doctor or nurse make surgical decisions on your behalf without your permission? Fortunately, no — except in very limited circumstances. You have the legal right to decide...
Why do never events still happen?
Many mistakes made by medical professionals are referred to as “never events.” The name signifies that these are such significant mistakes or errors that they should never happen. It is not just a poor outcome for the patient, but something entirely unexpected that...
Why children are often misdiagnosed
When a child shows signs of illness or pain, getting the correct diagnosis quickly is crucial. However, children are sometimes misdiagnosed, especially with physical conditions. These mistakes can delay treatment and lead to more serious health problems. Outlined...
Can marking patients help avoid medical malpractice?
When a patient goes in for surgery, there’s always the risk of wrong-site surgery. This can happen when the surgeon performs the wrong operation or operates on the wrong patient. It also happens when they operate at the wrong location on that patient, such as...
A missed heart attack diagnosis can endanger women
On television shows and in movies, a person who’s having a heart attack has a dramatic episode that includes intense chest pains that may lead to them dropping to the ground. While that might be how it happens in some cases, there are other ways that a heart attack...
Common examples of surgical errors
All surgical procedures have risks, but some complications stem from preventable mistakes. Surgical errors can have severe consequences, including long-term health issues or even loss of life. Below are some of the most common surgical mistakes. Wrong-site surgery...
Does a negative outcome mean you have a medical malpractice claim?
Many people are frustrated when they experience a negative medical outcome. Perhaps they undergo a procedure that doesn’t turn out the way they hoped, or a loved one receives attempted life-saving care—but passes away. They may believe this is an example of medical...
