James A. Dattilo Medical Malpractice Law Blog on Lawyers.com

According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, medical malpractice has been linked to nearly 100,000 deaths annually in the United States.  The most common types of medical malpractice cases deal with diagnostic and medication errors.  These errors are estimated to contribute to some 1.5 million preventable injuries each year in the United States.  Surgical errors and other medical mistakes account for the remainder of medical malpractice cases.

Pennsylvania medical malpractice laws hold doctors, nurses, and hospital or nursing home staff accountable for any deviation from accepted medical community standards that result in injury or death.  Medical negligence can also include instances when medical professionals harm their patients by neglecting them, acting maliciously, or providing substandard care.

There are many forms of medical malpractice

Medical malpractice comes in many subtle forms, which can result in serious harm and even death.  The environment for malpractice exists in any medical procedure, but the chaotic, high-stress nature of emergency rooms makes them ripe for error.  Hospitals must implement policies and procedures to minimize those risks and uphold their responsibility to their patients.

Other common types of medical malpractice include the following:

• Anesthesia errors
• Birth injury
• Defective drugs
• Experimentation
• Improper procedure
• Nursing home negligence/elderly abuse
• Wrongful death

Medical malpractice can also include dental malpractice, psychiatric malpractice, and cosmetic surgery malpractice.  Sexual misconduct with a patient by any type of healthcare professional is also medical malpractice.  Even pharmacists who provide the wrong medicine other than the prescribed one may be sued for medical negligence, especially if it has caused legitimate and severe damages to the patient.  Unreasonable delays for treatment and inability to obtain consent for surgeries are also grounds for medical malpractice.

Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to ensure your health and safety

Medical professionals in all positions, as well as the institutions that employ them, carry a responsibility under medical malpractice laws to ensure the health and safety of the patients under their care.  When health professionals or institutions cause harm to their patients, whether by negligence, omission, or simple human error, medical malpractice has occurred. 

County standards and regulations for medical malpractice laws vary, but all medical professionals must maintain professional liability insurance to offset the risk and costs of lawsuits based on medical malpractice.

The Pennsylvania medical malpractice firm of Dattilo & Associates has been providing skilled legal counsel in Pennsylvania medical malpractice cases for decades.  Medical malpractice laws and the lawsuits pertaining to them are always complex.  Dattilo & Associates has the skill and experience to examine your case, determine if medical negligence has occurred, and help you get the justice you deserve.