We Can Help with Medical Malpractice
For those in need of medical attention, we have little choice but to put our trust in doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners. If any of those professionals perform their duties carelessly, the results can be tragic: routine surgery can lead to paralysis or even death; a healthy baby can sustain serious injuries due to an error during delivery; a typo in a prescription can lead to an overdose of a dangerous drug.
Many tragic outcomes in hospitals and other medical facilities are inevitable — the staff delivers competent medical service but cannot overcome the damage done by an illness or injury. Medical malpractice, in contrast, occurs when a medical professional or institution fails to comply with established standards of care due to negligence. Some of these negligent errors cause only short-term harm; others, whether performed by a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, a general practitioner or a nurse, can cause lifelong disability or even death.
We Provide Legal Support For A Wide Range Of Medical Errors In Northern California
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional provides substandard care that results in harm to a patient. In California, examples of medical malpractice include:
1. Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
- Failing to identify a serious condition such as cancer, heart disease, or an infection, resulting in delayed treatment and worsened outcomes.
- Incorrectly diagnosing a condition, leading to unnecessary or harmful treatments.
2. Surgical Errors
- Performing surgery on the wrong body part or wrong patient.
- Leaving surgical instruments or foreign objects inside the patient’s body.
- Causing unintentional damage to organs or tissues during surgery.
3. Medication Errors
- Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage.
- Administering medication a patient is allergic to despite a known allergy.
- Failing to check for dangerous drug interactions.
4. Birth Injuries
- Failing to monitor or respond to signs of fetal distress.
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery, leading to injuries like cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy.
- Delayed C-sections, causing harm to the baby or mother.
5. Anesthesia Errors
- Administering too much or too little anesthesia.
- Failing to monitor the patient during surgery, resulting in oxygen deprivation or other complications.
- Ignoring a patient’s medical history and allergies.
6. Failure to Obtain Informed Consent
- Performing a procedure without explaining the risks, alternatives, or potential outcomes.
- Proceeding with a treatment the patient did not agree to.
7. Emergency Room Negligence
- Mismanaging trauma cases or other critical conditions due to rushed or inattentive care.
- Failing to prioritize patients according to the severity of their condition.
8. Infections from Unsanitary Conditions
- Neglecting sterilization protocols in hospitals or clinics, leading to preventable infections.
- Improper post-surgical care causing infections or complications.
9. Nursing Home Neglect
- Failure to provide proper medical care for elderly residents.
- Ignoring or improperly managing chronic conditions or medications.
If you believe you’ve experienced medical malpractice in California, consulting an attorney is essential, as the state imposes specific legal requirements and time limits (statute of limitations) for filing a claim. At Wilcoxen Callaham, LLP we are here for you and we will listen. Please call today for a free consultation with our staff at 916-442-2777.