Alexandria, VA Medical Malpractice Attorney

Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer Protecting Injured Patients in Alexandria, Virginia

Patients deserve to receive competent, attentive treatment from doctors and other medical providers. When the proper treatment is not provided, patients can be seriously injured. These issues may be addressed through medical malpractice claims. Patients may be able to recover compensation from negligent medical providers, ensuring that they will be able to address the ways these issues have affected their health and their lives.

Medical malpractice cases will often involve complex issues related to the standards of care, the parties who may be held liable, and the damages suffered by patients. The lawyer at Shevlin Smith, P.C. can provide the legal representation needed in these cases. He can identify negligence by medical professionals, make sure the full effects of medical malpractice are understood, and fight for full and fair compensation that will address an injury victim's needs.

Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose medical conditions correctly is the foundation of medical care. When a doctor takes steps to identify a patient's condition, they will be able to recommend appropriate treatment and make sure the right steps are taken during the correct timeframes. However, when a doctor does not diagnose a condition correctly, a patient may receive the wrong treatment, or the treatment they need may be delayed.

Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can lead to serious harm when a patient's medical needs are not addressed correctly. A cancer misdiagnosis may prevent a person from receiving treatment that could have prevented the progression of the disease. A stroke that is not diagnosed correctly may lead to permanent neurological damage. The misdiagnosis of a heart attack could lead to irreversible damage to a person's heart. The failure to diagnose an infection could lead to sepsis, which could threaten a patient's life.

A misdiagnosis may occur because a doctor fails to fully consider a patient's medical history. The failure to perform a full examination may lead a doctor to overlook findings that would have led to the correct diagnosis. The failure to order the right types of diagnostic tests or a misinterpretation of test results may also lead to a misdiagnosis. Our attorney can take steps to identify the failures that led to an incorrect diagnosis and make sure medical providers are held responsible for their negligence.

Medication Errors

Problems related to the medications provided to patients can lead to serious injuries. Doctors who prescribe medications will need to select the appropriate drugs that will address a patient's condition while also considering potential risks, such as harmful side effects or interactions with other drugs. Medication errors at the prescription stage may cause a patient to receive the wrong type of drug or an incorrect dose.

In hospitals, emergency rooms, and other medical facilities, nurses will often be responsible for administering medications to patients. Medication errors at the administration stage may involve the wrong drug being given to the wrong patient, incorrect doses, or the administration of drugs through the wrong route. These issues can affect the treatment a patient receives, or they may lead to harm due to overdoses or other issues.

Medication errors may also occur at pharmacies. A pharmacist may provide a patient with the wrong medication or the wrong dose. They may fail to verify that a prescription is correct, or they may fail to inform the patient about how a medication should be used or the potential issues that may affect their health. Our lawyer represents people who have been harmed by medication errors by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, or anyone else involved in medical treatment.

Birth Injuries

During labor and delivery, medical negligence can lead to injuries that may have lifelong consequences for a child, a mother, and other family members. Birth injuries can occur when nurses or other delivery room personnel fail to monitor the condition of patients or fail to inform doctors about potential complications. Obstetricians and other medical providers may also make errors during delivery or when providing postnatal care.

Some of the most serious birth injuries will involve oxygen deprivation to a child. If nurses fail to recognize and respond to fetal distress, umbilical cord issues, placenta problems, or other risks that may affect the flow of oxygen to a child, serious brain injuries can occur. These issues may affect a child's overall health due to developmental disorders like cerebral palsy, or they may lead to infant death.

Injuries can also occur if C-sections are not performed correctly. Medical personnel may delay in performing an emergency C-section, causing a child to suffer brain injuries or other forms of harm. Errors during cesarean deliveries may also occur, causing harm to a child or damage to a mother's internal organs.

Brachial plexus injuries can occur if the proper procedures are not followed during delivery. Shoulder dystocia, a complication in which a baby's shoulders can become stuck in the birth canal, may occur, and if too much force is used during delivery, a baby may experience nerve injuries. Erb's palsy is a condition that can occur in these cases, and it may lead to permanent disabilities.

In addition to injuries that can affect babies, mothers may be at risk of serious harm due to medical negligence during childbirth. Issues such as postpartum hemorrhaging, preeclampsia, maternal sepsis, pulmonary embolisms, and complications related to anesthesia may affect a mother's health. If these issues are not addressed correctly, maternal death may occur.

Contact Our Alexandria, VA Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical negligence is a serious issue that can affect patients in a wide variety of situations. Medical providers may be held responsible for their failure to provide care, and patients may be compensated for the damages they have suffered. At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our lawyer can provide compassionate representation for people who have been harmed by medical negligence, and he will fight to ensure that they will be fully compensated for the injuries they have suffered. Contact our Alexandria medical malpractice injury attorney at 703-591-0067 to schedule a free consultation.