Law Library Articles
Top 10 Medical Malpractice Articles in the LegalMatch Law Library
We have all heard the horror stories about doctors amputating the wrong leg, operating on the wrong patient, and leaving scalpels inside of a patient’s body. However, these "horror stories" are much more realistic than you’d think: Studies show that doctors make dangerous and careless errors surprisingly often. According to a study published in the journal "Surgery" on December 19, 2012, doctors leave surgical equipment inside patients’ bodies about 39 times per week, operate on the wrong body part 20 times per week, and operate on the wrong patient 20 times per week!
When a healthcare provider’s treatment falls below the accepted standard of care and a patient is injured, it is likely that medical malpractice has occurred. Amputating the wrong leg, operating on the wrong patient, and leaving scalpels inside of a patient’s body are all examples of medical malpractice. Other examples include making an error in childbirth, failing to diagnose cancer, and failing to treat appendicitis.
The following Top 10 Medical Malpractice articles in the LegalMatch Law Library provide an excellent overview to medical malpractice from a legal perspective.
1. Veterinary Malpractice Lawyers
Many people consider their pets to be a vital part of their family. Therefore, it is probably no surprise that a pet owner can sue a veterinarian for veterinary malpractice. However, the pet owner must show that the veterinarian’s conduct fell below the accepted standard of care in the veterinary community and caused an injury to his or her companion animal.
2. Malpractice in Performing Cosmetic Surgery
This article discusses medical malpractice in performing cosmetic surgery. Some common types of cosmetic surgeries include eyelifts, breast augmentation, facelifts, collagen injections, and rhinoplasty.
3. Chiropractor Malpractice
More people are going to chiropractors and seeking other forms of alternative healthcare. However, chiropractors sometimes make mistakes. Common chiropractor malpractice cases involve broken bones, neck and spinal damage, and stroke.
4. Cesarean Delivery Medical Malpractice
Having a baby should be a joyous occasion for a mother and father. However, sometimes, a doctor’s negligence may cause an injury to a baby or mother. If a doctor negligently performed a cesarean (C-section) or did not perform a C-section when he or she should have, the doctor has committed medical malpractice.
5. Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations
This article discusses the "statute of limitations" in medical malpractice lawsuits. The "statute of limitations" is the deadline for filing the lawsuit. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits varies from state to state.
6. Plastic Surgery Malpractice
This article discusses medical malpractice by plastic surgeons. This article discusses both cosmetic procedures and reconstructive procedures.
7. Mental Health Malpractice Lawyers
Mental health malpractice is a growing field of malpractice law. Common examples of mental health malpractice include sexual impropriety, improper diagnosis of a mental health problem, and suicide of a patient.
8. Therapist Malpractice Lawyers
Therapists have a particularly strong influence on their patients, so they should be particularly cautious. Common examples of therapist malpractice include making inappropriate or excessive self-disclosure, deliberately misdiagnosing patients, and having a sexual relationship with a current or former client.
9. State Limits on Medical Malpractice Awards
Some states limit the amount that an injured patient can recover in a medical malpractice case. This article discusses the limitations on medical malpractice damages in various states.
10. Malpractice Settlements
Many medical malpractice cases are "settled" out of court. In a medical malpractice settlement, the patient and doctor decide on an amount owed by the doctor and any other remedies for the injury.
