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Medical malpractice is negligence by a doctor or health care provider that results in the injury or death of a patient. Negligence includes misdiagnosis and the failure to abide by standard medical practices. Doctors may not be held liable for a pre-existing condition; however, the agitation of a pre-existing condition may be considered negligence.

Negligence on the part of doctors, nurses and health care professionals in hospitals can result in patient injury and even death. Injury caused by medical mistakes in hospitals can lead to future health concerns, additional hospital bills and emotional distress.

In the worst case, a hospital error leads to the death of a patient, causing grief and financial stress on the deceased’s family. A wrongful-death suit can be filed to seek damages for lost wages and pain and suffering.

Examples of hospital mistakes that could result in medical malpractice are:

• Birth injuries: Improper labor practices result in injury to a baby, sometimes leading to conditions such as cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy.
• Prescription errors: This can include over or under medication, administering the wrong drug or incorrect diagnoses.
• Improper diagnoses: A patient is treated for a disease he or she does not have or a disease goes untreated because of the failure of a doctor to recognize a threatening condition.
• Surgical errors: Negligence can lead to an infection or surgery on the wrong body part or the wrong patient.

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