Medical Malpractice Can Claim the Life of a Loved One
The legal team at Chanfrau & Chanfrau has long helped injury victims throughout Daytona Beach hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. This strong legal expertise has been especially important in medical malpractice lawsuits, which hold doctors and surgeons accountable for errors.
Tragically, some medical mistakes end in the loss of life.
Medical Mistakes Need to Be Taken Seriously
When a doctor makes a mistake of any kind, the stakes can be life or death. Indeed, all sorts of medical errors can result in serious harm to patients. Even something that seems as small as an improperly prescribed medication can potentially prove fatal.
When a medical professional of any kind makes a crucial yet avoidable mistake that results in the death of a loved one, you can rest assured that our legal team will be here to help you with the litigation process ahead.
Examples of Fatal Medical Mistakes
There are many kinds of medical errors that can prove fatal. Some examples include the following:
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Surgical Mistakes – Critical mistakes during surgery could result in fatal blood loss and other complications, not to mention an increased risk of potentially fatal post-surgical complications
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Misdiagnosis – There have been some cases in which doctors misdiagnose a condition, resulting in the death of a patient. An example of this is mistaking a viral infection for a bacterial infection.
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Delayed Diagnosis – When it comes to terminal illnesses such as cancer, doctors who do not diagnose these conditions in a timely manner may be liable for the death of their patients.
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Contraindications – When patients take multiple medications, doctors have to be careful to note potential harmful side effects that can arise when two separate drugs are taken at the same time. Sometimes these contraindications can prove fatal.
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Medication Errors and Prescription Errors – Fatalities involving prescribed drugs don't need to involve contraindications. Sometimes fatalities arise due to improper dosage or pharmacists misreading or incorrectly filling a prescription.
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Inattentive Care in a Hospital – A patient's vitals should be carefully monitored while they are in a hospital. A patient may experience a serious and urgent medical emergency in the hospital, and if it is not addressed in a timely fashion, it can result in death.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Wrongful death lawsuits are filed in order to hold a negligent individual or party responsible for the loss of a loved one. During these kinds of lawsuits, both compensatory damages and punitive damages are sought.
Compensatory damages are intended to cover the material losses associated with the death of a loved one, including funeral expenses, lost wages, emotional pain and suffering, and loss of companionship.
Punitive damages are intended to punish the negligent individual, and the amount sought may be higher if the circumstances of a case are especially disconcerting or demonstrate an high degree of negligence.
How an Attorney Can Help You
The legal process can be complicated, and the difficulties of litigation can be difficult to manage while also coping with the loss of a spouse, child, family member, or loved one. By working with an attorney, the complexities of the legal process will be in good hands, providing you with the peace of mind necessary to mourn and to move forward.
Speak with the Team at Chanfrau & Chanfrau
For more information about your legal options following a serious medical mistake, be sure to contact our personal injury law firm today. The legal team at Chanfrau & Chanfrau will work with you in your time of legal need.