Doctor�s Mistakes

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Doctor�s Mistakes

Doctor mistakes are commonly associated with medical malpractice. Visit Medical Malpractice Attorney Source for malpractice professionals.

Medical errors are among the leading causes of death in the United States. Common causes of medical errors include prescription error, laboratory mistakes, hospital mistakes, and general medical industry system problems. Another common cause of medical errors is doctor's mistakes.

While most doctors are competent professionals, they are far from infallible. Some argue that doctors are vulnerable to make mistakes if only by virtue of being human. Human limitations are one thing. Negligence or failure to comply with the standard level of care is another. In the latter instance, a negligent doctor is culpable for all losses caused by his or her failure to meet acceptable professional standards. Studies have shown that many medical errors are preventable, including doctor's mistakes.

Common Causes of Doctor's Mistakes

There are numerous factors that can lead to doctor's mistakes. Some of the most common doctor's mistakes include:

• Doctor's judgment is compromised by alcohol or illicit drugs
• Poor handwriting, which can lead to prescription or other hospital errors
• Unclear dosage instructions, which also can lead to prescription errors such as improper dosing
• Failure to listen attentively to patient complaints and/or failure to perform the proper tests, which can lead to various diagnostic errors including failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis
• Misinterpretation of test results and/or failure to act on abnormal results
• General carelessness

Unfortunately, many doctor's mistakes go unreported either because the patient was unaware of the mistake or because the doctor is reluctant to report or admit to a mistake out of fear of liability. Obviously, the stigma associated with admitting to mistakes only lends itself to a culture of secrecy that does little to help prevent the incidence of doctor's mistakes and other medical errors.

Doctor's Mistakes and the Law

Depending on the circumstances, doctors can be held legally responsible for their mistakes. The law requires doctors to provide a reasonable standard of care to their patients. When doctors violate patients' rights out of carelessness or negligence, they can and should be held responsible.

If you or someone you love has suffered injury as the result of a doctor's mistake, you may be entitled to receive compensation . A caring and competent attorney can evaluate your case and help you understand your rights. Contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney.

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