Medical Negligence
Lebanon NH, Concord NH, Littleton NH, Lancaster NH, White River Junction VT, and St. Johnsbury VT
It takes years of specialized training to become a doctor or a surgeon, and nursing schools often have waitlists of years because so many people want to enter the profession. As a result, hospitals and health clinics often get to pick the best person for the job, which in turn helps us when we need checkups or treatment. However, even though these people have been trained and have the responsibility to treat the injured, ill, and infirm, medical errors still occur. Many of these errors leave people with lifelong injuries and can lead to death.
Medical errors are often the result of overworked, fatigued, and stressed individuals impairing their ability to treat patients. Still, the reason a medical mistake occurs is unacceptable and those who made them need to be held accountable for their actions.
Medical Negligence
Medical negligence simply means that the medical staff or doctor acted in a negligent manner while treating the medical condition of their patient. It is estimated that almost 100,000 preventable deaths a year are the result of medical negligence in the U.S. Five to ten percent of the people who visit the hospital become victims of medical negligence annually.
Examples of medical negligence that may lead to injury or death include:
- Failure to treat or diagnose a disease
- Misdiagnosis of disease or illness
- Failure to provide proper treatment or plan treatment for disease or condition
- Delayed treatment for disease or condition
The most common life-threatening conditions that are misdiagnosed include:
- Infections
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Aneurisms
- Appendicitis
Misdiagnosis of a disease or condition often means being given the wrong treatment plan. If a patient is given the wrong type of medication, they may suffer side effects they never would have had in the first place had they been treated correctly. Doctors and medical staff may read a chart wrong or even interpret the results of a test wrong, then send you on your way only to have you fall gravely ill as a result of missing something important. Conditions such as heart attacks and strokes are not irreversible, and the damage is permanent in most cases.
You have the right to proper medical care every time you enter a hospital or your doctor’s office. Dealing with illness is never easy for you or your loved ones. Dealing with the results of medical negligence can be even harder.
If you or a loved one has been injured through medical negligence in the New Hampshire or Vermont area, please contact the experienced medical negligence attorneys at Cullenberg & Tensen for an initial case consultation.
15 Main St., Littleton, NH 03561
36 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
1 Central Square, Keene, NH 03431
Ferry Road, Concord, NH 03301
