When a healthcare provider makes a mistake, the results can change lives. This is why healthcare professionals must meet basic standards of care. They need to act in line with how similar professionals would handle similar situations. If a provider acts negligently, recklessly, or even intentionally harms someone, there may be grounds for a malpractice claim.
It is important to note that not every medical injury results from malpractice. Some procedures come with risks that occur even when the healthcare team follows recognized standards of care.
Talking with a St. Matthews medical malpractice lawyer could help clarify whether your injury supports a malpractice claim. If a claim has a basis, our team can also connect with experts who will help build the evidence you need. Schedule an initial consultation with a skilled personal injury attorney today.
Understanding Medical Malpractice Claims
Malpractice is not limited to doctors and nurses—it can involve any healthcare provider or facility. To determine if malpractice occurred, the provider’s actions are compared to what is known as the standard of care for someone with their training and experience.
South Carolina has specific guidelines for medical malpractice cases. State law—South Carolina Code § 15-79-120—requires that an injured party submit an expert affidavit before filing a case, certifying that the provider’s actions did not meet the standard of care. A medical malpractice lawyer in St. Matthews could help you meet these requirements and improve your chances for a positive outcome.
Additionally, South Carolina limits non-economic damages in malpractice cases. The limit depends on the number of occurrences and the number of defendants. Economic damages remain uncapped unless a governmental healthcare provider or facility is involved. Our legal team at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda is experienced in framing cases to maximize the amount you may be able to recover despite these state law caps.
Injuries from Medical Malpractice
The impact of medical malpractice depends on the type of error and the patient’s initial health. Sometimes, another provider can correct the mistake, but the patient often still suffers unnecessary pain, financial expenses, and distress. In the most severe situations, malpractice may cause lifelong disability or even result in death.
Pregnancy-Related Injuries
Negligence during prenatal care, labor, or delivery may affect both mother and child. These injuries are often the result of incorrect use of delivery tools, failure to monitor fetal distress, or delays in performing a necessary C-section.
The resulting injuries may lead to cerebral palsy or infant brain injuries. The mother may lose her ability to have children in the future, may suffer other injuries, including brain injury, or may even die.
Surgical Mistakes
Surgical mistakes—like operating on the wrong body part, leaving instruments inside a patient, or damaging nearby organs—can lead to organ failure, disfigurement, or the need for additional surgeries. These mistakes frequently cause lasting disabilities, long-term health problems, or death.
Anesthesia Errors
Errors with anesthesia—whether from incorrect dosage or failing to monitor vital signs—can lead to severe injury, brain damage, or death. Sometimes, patients wake up during surgery, causing intense trauma and PTSD.
Misdiagnoses
Misdiagnosing a condition or identifying it too late can cause the illness to worsen unnecessarily. Complications from untreated strokes, heart attacks, or infections can be catastrophic. Misdiagnosis also often leads to harmful and needless treatments.
Medication Errors
Medication mistakes—such as giving the wrong drug or an incorrect dosage—can cause severe reactions, organ damage, and even fatal overdoses, especially in children and older patients. Practitioners may even override drug interaction warnings, leading to severe adverse reactions.
Medication errors can also occur when a pharmacist misfills a prescription drug by filling the wrong drug, the wrong dosage, or entering inappropriate instructions causing injury or even fatal outcomes.
Unclean Conditions
Infections are common and many times cannot be prevented. Infections must, however, be timely diagnosed and aggressively treated. Otherwise, complications can be catastrophic, including amputations of limbs. It is critical that practitioners be alert for warning signs of infection and start treatment promptly.
When Medical Malpractice Results in Death
In the most tragic cases, medical malpractice causes a patient’s death. The families left behind suffer grief, distress, and financial losses, especially if the deceased was a primary provider.
Wrongful death claims allow these families to seek justice and some form of financial relief. Call today to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer in St. Matthews.
Consult a St. Matthews Medical Malpractice Attorney
Malpractice cases are complex—patients frequently sign consent forms and may not even realize when malpractice occurs.
A St. Matthews medical malpractice lawyer can help evaluate your case, and if malpractice is suspected, connect you with experts to build a solid claim. Schedule a consultation with Whetstone Perkins & Fulda today to discuss your potential claim and learn more.
