New Jersey Fatal Medical Malpractice Claim Lawyers

Medical malpractice claims have become prevalent in the United States. According to a Johns Hopkins study conducted by researchers of patient safety, medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the country (after heart disease and cancer). The study indicates that medical errors cause about 250,000 fatalities annually, which means 700 deaths daily or 9.5 percent of all deaths annually.

Causes of medical malpractice claims
Injuries caused by medical negligence can be devastating for the family of the patient. Very often, medical errors occur due to an overworked hospital staff, or because medical professionals are inattentive to the needs of patients. Medical malpractice claims frequently occur because of the difficulty in diagnosing some diseases, misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis.

In addition, common malpractice claims include those in which someone enters a hospital, is then discharged, and later develops recurring and deadly conditions, such as a heart attack or a stroke.

Common fatal medical malpractice claims
Negligence on the part of doctors or other medical professionals can happen during pregnancy. The doctor or obstetrician may have failed to identify certain conditions, including birth defects, a disease that the child could contract, an ectopic pregnancy, or a medical condition of the mother that could impact pregnancy or delivery.

Deadly fetal injuries can take place because of medical negligence. Such injuries include nerve damage, fractured bones and brain injuries.

Fatal medical malpractice claims could also occur due to negligence during childbirth. Such claims usually arise due to a mistake committed at the time of the birth of a child. Typical examples of medical malpractice stemming from negligence during childbirth include the failure of the physician or obstetrician to recognize certain conditions.

Medication errors
Among the most common medical malpractice claims involve mistakes made in prescribing or administering prescription drugs. Although the majority of errors take place in patients who are past age 60, mistakes can happen to patients in other age groups.

Usually, such errors are made when a physician or nurse neglects to accurately review the patient’s medical history, and prescribes a drug that acts adversely against another drug the patient is taking. Or the doctor or nurse may prescribe the incorrect drug or make an error in dosage. At times, mistakes can be made in communications between the doctor and pharmacist, and the dosage can be too high or too low, thus resulting in a very dangerous, or even fatal, situation for the patient. Hence, a fatal medical malpractice claim may arise.

If your loved one was the victim of medical negligence that resulted in a fatality, contact the wrongful death attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm. The attorneys understand the importance of conducting an investigation into the malpractice or negligence that caused the death of your friend or family member. Call for a free confidential evaluation of your case.