When the sick or injured go to see a doctor, they are doing so under the assumption that their needs will be seen to by competent and experienced professionals. For the most part, those assumptions are correct. The vast majority of doctors, surgeons and pharmacists will make the right diagnosis, flawlessly execute complicated surgical procedures, or make sure that the right medications are properly used.

Most medical professionals have their actions tightly regulated by their respective state medical boards, which make certain that the standards of medicine are both kept high and adhered to by those that practice.

Unfortunately, their are times when a medical professional does not fulfill their duty to offer a standard of care that is, at the least, equivalent to the skills and diligence practiced by others in their specialty. 

Common Causes of Medical Malpractice

Medical Malpractice can be described as the failure of a medical professional to follow established guidelines, which results in patient injury.

More specific causes of medical malpractice include:

• Prescription Errors: With the thousands of drugs that are available for almost every conceivable ailment, it is almost inevitable that mistakes will be made when the prescriptions are filled. According to a study by the Institute of Medicine, an estimated 1.5 million patients are sickened, injured or killed by being prescribed the wrong medication.

• Birth Injuries or Deaths: Birth injuries can be caused by any number of reasons, including misapplication of forceps or complications that result in a breech birth or caesarean section. The effects of the injuries can be both physical (as is the case with Erb’s Palsy) or can cause serious damage to the brain (cerebral palsy.)

• Wrong Diagnosis: If a medical professional diagnoses what is easy instead of what is accurate, he should be made to answer for his decisions if the patient suffers as a result.

• Nursing Home Negligence: Injury, Abuse, and Wrongful Death: Nursing home injuries, and even deaths, are all too common when: a facility is under staffed, its staff members are poorly trained, or when individual staff members just doesn't care. [Read More]

• Missed or Late Diagnosis: If a doctor does not recognize a condition as serious, the results could be fatal. A medical professional who fails to correctly diagnose a disease or condition until it too late is not helping his patients. If cancer is found early, a patient stands a very good chance of recovery. But if a doctor fails to act on clear warning signs in a patient, he could be held liable if the cancer is not discovered until it’s too late.

• Failure to Recognize a Developing Heart Attack or Stroke: People with no medical background are not expected to be able to tell the difference between a case of heartburn and a heart attack or the difference between a headache and a stroke. But doctors and nurses should be able to easily differentiate between the superficial and the serious.

Norfolk, Virginia Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you have been a victim of medical malpractice, you should realize that you are not alone.  You should also be sure to find an attorney that has successfully helped others in recovering damages against negligent doctors or pharmacists.

With over two decades of legal practice, Richard Serpe has established himself as one of the most dedicated and effective attorneys in Virginia. With successful arguments before state and federal Courts, he has garnered a reputation among his peers as an attorney that handles difficult cases, and over twenty years of aggressive representation for his clients has led to Mr. Serpe being listed among The Best Lawyers in America as well as obtaining the highest possible peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell. Mr. Serpe has obtained fair and just compensation for Virginians of all walks of life who have been injured due to the negligence or incompetence of doctors.

In addition to using his own expertise and skill, Richard Serpe collaborates with some of the foremost medical experts in the country. Having the perspective and testimony of these professionals helps to make the suffering of his clients clear to judges, juries, and professional arbitrators.

Free No Obligation Consultation 
We encourage you to contact us to discuss your case and we will explain to you how we can help relieve your stress and bring your life, as close as possible, to normal.  To speak with us immediately call toll free 877-544-5323.