In Mississippi, medical malpractice lawsuits are being filed against healthcare professionals. In 2022, for example, 176 medical malpractice reports were filed in the state. Medical malpractice happens when an individual suffers harm due to the negligence or wrongdoing of a medical practitioner or facility. Understanding the common causes of malpractice lawsuits in Mississippi can help patients stay safe.
Negligent Care
One of the most common reasons for medical malpractice lawsuits in Mississippi is negligent care. This occurs when a healthcare provider fails to provide adequate treatment or makes a mistake that harms a patient. Examples of negligent care may include misdiagnosis of a condition leading to death, surgical errors where the wrong surgery is performed, medication errors when a pharmacist dispenses an erroneous dose, and nurses not monitoring a patient’s condition adequately.
Lack of Informed Consent and a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
Informed consent is essential, and patients must know about the care they will receive. It requires healthcare professionals to explain the treatment in detail and inform patients of the potential risks and benefits before obtaining their consent. Failure to obtain informed consent can be the reason for a malpractice lawsuit if the patient suffers harm. The patient should be asked to sign that they received informed consent and could ask questions and receive detailed answers.
Failure to Follow Standard of Care
Healthcare professionals are expected to adhere to the standard of care in their community when treating patients. This means providing treatment that aligns with what other reasonable practitioners or facilities would do in the same or similar circumstances. If a healthcare professional deviates from this standard and it results in harm to the patient, it may be grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Communication and Documentation Errors
Clear communication and accurate documentation are crucial when dealing with patients. Misunderstandings or errors in communication between healthcare professionals can lead to severe consequences for patients. For example, the type of medication, dose or allergies the patient may have to specific meds. Similarly, mistakes in documenting a patient’s medical history or treatment plan can result in harm or misdiagnosis. These types of errors might be evidence in medical malpractice lawsuits.
Systemic Issues
In addition to individual errors or negligence, systemic issues within healthcare facilities can contribute to malpractice lawsuits. These may include understaffing, inadequate resources, and outdated equipment or protocols. These factors can all affect the quality of care provided to patients and increase the risk of errors.
If a patient suffers harm due to these problems, the hospital can be named in the lawsuit. Patients rely on a healthcare facility to have the means to care for them.
How the Diaz Law Firm Can Help
At Diaz Law Firm, we understand the anguish a medical mistake can cause our clients. We know patients trust their doctors, pharmacists and nurses to do what is right for them. That is why when the system fails, patients have a right to protect their rights and file medical malpractice lawsuits. Call us any time of the day at (601) 607-3456 or (800) 459-2222 for a free case review. We can also be reached online.