Medical malpractice, unfortunately, is far more common in Illinois than most people realize. While we would hope our doctors and other medical professionals would never be negligent, this isn’t always the case. As a result, the victims may be harmed. Your own doctor may have a history of medical malpractice you do not know about.
What are the different types of medical malpractice?
Medical malpractice can come in many forms. While there is no exhaustive list of all the possible kinds of medical malpractice, there are certain forms of it that are quite common. This includes:
- misdiagnosis of an illness
- the delay of the correct diagnosis
- birth injuries
- the amputation of the wrong appendage
- incorrect drug dosage
- ignorance of patient allergies
- medical device failure
- improper application of anesthesia
- nursing home neglect
- improper treatment or therapy
How do you tell if someone has committed medical malpractice in the past?
Since medical malpractice can have such serious results, you may be curious to know if your doctor or a doctor you are considering seeing has committed medical malpractice in the past. While finding this information may not be easy, it is possible in most cases. Medical malpractice information on specific doctors can be found through sources such as the “physician data center” of your state medical board as well as the American Medical Association’s “doctor finder” that includes information regarding medical licenses. Even a simple internet search may pick up relevant results.
Overall, medical malpractice is a threat to everyone. The ill and the healthy alike could become victims of medical malpractice if a doctor or other medical professional does not live up to the standards for quality care. It may be a good idea to research the medical malpractice history of any physician you are considering visiting.
