The Most Common Types of Medical Errors

Medical errors are among the leading causes of injury and death in the United States, with thousands of patients suffering from preventable mistakes every year. These errors occur when healthcare providers fail to follow the accepted standard of care, leading to misdiagnosis, medication errors, surgical mistakes, and other forms of negligence.

Medical errors can result in severe complications, permanent disability, or even death, making them a serious public health concern. Patients who suffer harm due to medical negligence may be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

This article explores the most common types of medical errors, their consequences, and the legal options available for victims.

1. Medication Errors

One of the most frequent and dangerous medical errors involves medication mistakes, which can occur at any stage of the prescribing or administration process.

Common Medication Errors

Wrong Medication Prescribed – The patient is given a medication they were not supposed to receive, leading to adverse reactions.
Incorrect Dosage – Overdosing or underdosing a patient can result in toxicity or ineffective treatment.
Failure to Check Drug Interactions – Some medications interact negatively, causing severe side effects or life-threatening complications.
Allergic Reactions – Failing to check a patient’s allergies before prescribing medication.
Confusion Between Similar Drug Names – Some drugs have similar names but serve very different purposes, increasing the risk of prescribing errors.

Consequences of Medication Errors

Medication errors can lead to organ damage, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), internal bleeding, coma, or death. In some cases, patients require extensive medical treatment to counteract the effects of an incorrect medication.

2. Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis

Misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare provider incorrectly diagnoses a condition, leading to wrong treatments or failure to treat the actual illness. Delayed diagnosis happens when a doctor fails to recognize a condition in time, causing it to progress to a more advanced stage.

Commonly Misdiagnosed Conditions

Cancer – Many cancer patients receive delayed diagnoses, reducing their chances of survival.
Heart Attacks – Often mistaken for indigestion, anxiety, or muscle pain, leading to delayed emergency care.
Stroke – Some strokes are misdiagnosed as migraines or vertigo, delaying critical treatment.
Meningitis – Can be mistaken for the flu, which can be fatal without early treatment.

Consequences of Misdiagnosis

Worsening of the Disease – Delayed cancer diagnoses, for example, can lead to inoperable tumors.
Unnecessary Treatments – A patient may undergo treatments or surgeries for a condition they do not have.
Increased Healthcare Costs – Prolonged treatment due to an initial misdiagnosis can drain financial resources.

3. Surgical Errors

Surgical mistakes can be among the most devastating medical errors, leading to permanent disability or wrongful death.

Common Surgical Errors

Wrong-Site Surgery – The wrong part of the body is operated on (e.g., amputating the wrong limb).
Wrong-Patient Surgery – A patient undergoes a procedure intended for someone else.
Leaving Surgical Instruments Inside the Body – Items such as sponges, gauze, or clamps are accidentally left inside a patient after surgery.
Nerve or Organ Damage – A surgeon may cut or damage internal organs, causing long-term complications.
Anesthesia Errors – Incorrect administration of anesthesia can lead to brain damage, heart failure, or death.

Consequences of Surgical Errors

Permanent Disability – Surgical mistakes can cause paralysis, loss of function, or chronic pain.
Additional Surgeries – Patients may require corrective surgeries, leading to longer recovery times.
Infections and Sepsis – Unsterile conditions or retained foreign objects can lead to life-threatening infections.

4. Birth Injuries and Obstetric Errors

Errors during labor and delivery can cause lifelong disabilities for newborns and severe health complications for mothers.

Common Birth Injuries

Failure to Perform a Timely C-Section – Can cause oxygen deprivation, leading to cerebral palsy or brain damage.
Misuse of Forceps or Vacuum Extractors – Improper use of delivery tools can cause skull fractures, nerve damage, or brain hemorrhages.
Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress – If signs of fetal distress are ignored, the baby may suffer asphyxia, brain damage, or stillbirth.

Consequences of Birth Injuries

Lifelong Disabilities – Children may suffer from cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, or developmental delays.
Maternal Injuries – Mothers can suffer internal bleeding, uterine rupture, or life-threatening infections.
Emotional and Financial Burden – Families often require long-term medical care and therapy for birth injury victims.

5. Failure to Prevent Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)

Hospitals must follow strict sanitation and infection control protocols to prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). When medical staff fail to maintain hygiene, patients can develop life-threatening infections.

Common HAIs

Sepsis – A severe infection that spreads throughout the body, causing organ failure and death.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) – A drug-resistant bacterial infection that spreads in hospitals.
Pneumonia – Patients on ventilators or undergoing surgery are at high risk of developing infections.

Consequences of Hospital-Acquired Infections

Prolonged Hospital Stays – Patients require additional treatment and surgeries to fight infections.
Organ Failure – Severe infections can damage major organs and lead to long-term health issues.
Wrongful Death – HAIs are responsible for thousands of deaths each year in the U.S.

6. Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia errors occur when too much, too little, or the wrong type of anesthesia is administered before surgery.

Common Anesthesia Mistakes

Incorrect Dosage – Can lead to brain damage or death.
Failure to Monitor Oxygen Levels – Patients may suffer hypoxia (oxygen deprivation), causing brain injury.
Allergic Reactions – Failing to review a patient’s medical history can lead to anaphylactic shock.

Consequences of Anesthesia Errors

Brain Damage – Lack of oxygen can cause permanent cognitive impairment.
Coma or Death – In severe cases, anesthesia mistakes can be fatal.

7. Failure to Obtain Informed Consent

Before undergoing a medical procedure, patients must be informed of all risks, benefits, and alternatives. If a doctor fails to provide this information, the patient may undergo a procedure without full knowledge of the potential dangers.

Consequences of Failure to Obtain Consent

Unwanted Surgeries or Treatments
Legal and Ethical Violations
Emotional Trauma

Seeking Legal Help for Medical Errors

If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a medical error, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help

Investigate medical records and hospital policies.
Consult with medical experts to prove negligence.
Negotiate settlements or represent you in court.

Statute of Limitations in California

One year from discovering the injury or three years from the date of the medical error.

Conclusion

Medical errors can have devastating consequences, but legal action can help victims obtain justice and compensation. If you believe you were harmed by a medical mistake, contact a California medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your options.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Patient Safety and Medical Errors. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov
National Institutes of Health. (2023). Medical Malpractice and Hospital Negligence. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). Preventing Medical Errors in Hospitals. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov