Medical Malpractice

It has been estimated that nearly 97,000 people die every year from hospital mistakes. These mistakes might be due to the wrong medication being given, a delay in treatment, or a misdiagnosis. One thing all these mistakes have in common is that someone died or was injured as a result of a medical provider’s negligence.

This negligence is referred to as medical malpractice. Of course, just because treatment has a bad outcome does not mean that the provider was negligent. Sometimes even with the best medical care, a patient is either too sick or too injured to benefit significantly from treatment.

Types Of Medical Malpractice Mistakes

At the law firm of Balderrama Law Firm, our New Mexico medical malpractice attorneys have seen these common medical malpractice cases in the state and the Carlsbad metro area:

Hospital mistakes — Medical malpractice cases arise when a patient is harmed or is killed due to the negligence or error of a New Mexico hospital.  Hospitals are expected to provide proper health care treatment, however when the hospital makes a mistake such as incorrect medications or a patient suffering from a hospital-based infection, it can give rise to a lawsuit against the hospital.

Failing to diagnose or misdiagnosis — Serious illnesses should be diagnosed properly and treated in the early stages. When a diagnosis is missed, there is a delay in treatment, allowing the disease or illness to progress. The very worst cases can cause a death that could have been prevented. Deadly cancers, heart problems or strokes are among the common conditions that are too often missed by healthcare professionals.

Drug errors — Each year thousands of patients are given improper medication, an incorrect dosage, or a drug with dangerous side effects.  Sometimes the medication has a confusing label. Mistakes are also made when a treating doctor fails to alert other doctors to other medications the patient is taking.

Anesthesia mistakes — Anesthesia requires careful use, and patients must be monitored constantly to avoid harmful side effects. Too much anesthesia can cause permanent injury or death.

Surgical mistakes — Surgical errors may involve simple mistakes that should never happen – for instance, an operation on the wrong patient or the wrong body part. In some instances, operating tools or sponges are left behind after the operation. Some relatively safe surgeries can go wrong when a nearby organ is accidentally pierced.

Emergency room errors — Patients brought to emergency rooms with serious or life-threatening conditions need to be evaluated, stabilized, and treated promptly and efficiently. Medical malpractice occur when paramedics, ambulance emergency medical technicians, and emergency room physicians make mistakes under the stress of those conditions.

Birth injuries – The mother and her newborn child are susceptible to injury during birth. The failure of physicians and hospital staff to properly monitor the mother and child or fail to respond when medical issues occur can lead to disabilities, including cerebral palsy, that can last a lifetime.

Patients injured or killed due to any one of these mistakes or any form of medical negligence do have legal rights and may be able to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit against the New Mexico hospital, surgeon, doctor, nurse, or other medical care facility or provider.

Carlsbad, NM Medical Malpractice Lawyers

If you believe that you or someone you care about has been a victim of medical malpractice, it is important to talk to an attorney.  The courts view medicine as more of an art than an exact science, so providers are often not found negligent, even if they did make a mistake. Before you try to handle your case yourself, contact us to discuss your claim. There are strict statute of limitations for filing these types of claims so it is important that you do not wait to speak with one of our top rated New Mexico medical malpractice attorneys. Call today at 575-234-1111.  We will answer any questions that you may have and determine if the doctor, nurse, surgeon, or hospital was negligent and at-fault for your injuries.