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The Consequences of Medical Malpractice

You wake up with sharp stomach pains and go to the doctor. After a brief exam, the doctor sends you to the hospital. Before you know it, you’re in a medical gown about to have your appendix removed.

After surgery, you notice some discoloration around your surgical site. It looks like an infection around your new scar. You complain and you’re given some antibiotics before you’re discharged and sent home.

Now there’s just one problem, the hospital didn’t run an allergy test and you’re allergic to the new medication. To top it all off, you go home, and the pain comes back. It wasn’t your appendix at all.

What Went Wrong?

This may sound extreme, but the consequences of medical malpractice often create exponential problems. In the example, a simple misdiagnosis (a form of medical malpractice) led to our patient receiving unnecessary surgery where they subsequently developed an infection. After all that, our patient receives improper medication and early discharge.

This situation spiraled out of control because of that initial misdiagnosis. When medical professionals fail to explore their options before acting, they open the door for disaster. Similarly, many forms of medical malpractice are completely avoidable. If doctors had ordered an allergy test, our patient would not have received improper medication.

The High Price of Medical Malpractice

It’s important to remember that the consequences of medical malpractice are life and death. Practicing medicine is a high-stakes job. Each decision could significantly impact someone’s quality of life. That’s why doctors must have certainty before making decisions.

The consequences of medical malpractice go far beyond our example. Real people leave the hospital disfigured, in pain, or with dangerous treatment plans because of medical malpractice. In the worst scenario anyone can imagine, some pass away as a direct result of improper or negligent care.

It’s important to hold medical staff accountable for improper treatment, especially after a life-altering mistake. If you or someone you love has been impacted by any form of medical malpractice and you’d like an Atlanta medical malpractice attorney to review your case, feel free to send us an email or call (404) 814-5098.

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