Types of injuries resulting from military medical malpractice

On Behalf of | Aug 17, 2018 | Firm News

There are many different types of medical negligence, and each are unique to itself. Given the complex nature of the practice of medicine, it is no wonder that even the slightest mistake can have life-changing effects on patients.

Medical negligence takes many forms, including in the military. There is the same standard for physicians and nurses at a military installation as their civilian counterparts. But a medical claim against military providers goes through federal court and is subject to specific rules.

Surgical errors

People enter the hospital for routine surgery every day, typically without consequences. There are unfortunately situations where devastating injuries are the direct result of the negligence of the surgical team or the hospital. The negligence could include the following:

  • Wrong side or wrong site surgery
  • Leaving foreign objects, such as sponges or surgical instruments, inside the body
  • Surgery that is not medically necessary
  • Having interns or trainee surgeons perform surgery without proper supervision
  • Disregard for hospital protocols
  • Missing a patient’s anesthesia allergy

Drug/medication errors

When you receive prescription medication from a doctor, you expect it to improve your health. You don’t expect it to make your condition worse. Medication errors are unfortunately more common than many people think. When an error with your medication causes an unforeseen complication, you should consider seeking compensation.

  • The physician may not have checked whether the patient has medication allergies before writing a prescription
  • The physician may not have checked for interactions with other drugs the patient is on
  • The prescription may have been for the wrong dosage or the wrong medicine
  • A charting mistake may have resulted in a drug overdose
  • The physician may have failed to warn the patient of any drug side effects that call for medical attention

Misdiagnoses

As medicine continues to become more sophisticated, doctors and other healthcare professionals need to be fully trained on the interpretation of new tests. A misdiagnosis can result from the misinterpretation of these tests. This is relatively common in emergency rooms where doctors and staff work long shifts and become tired.

If you are victim of medical negligence in the military, you should consider consulting with a personal injury attorney to review your options for compensation.