Fairfax, VA Doctor Malpractice Lawyer

Experienced Doctor Malpractice Lawyers Holding Negligent Physicians Accountable in Fairfax, Virginia

Patients place a great deal of trust in their doctors. When a person sees a doctor, they will share personal details about their health, and they will rely on the doctor to use their training and judgment to make the right decisions about the proper forms of treatment. When a doctor fails to meet the standards required to protect the health and safety of patients, the consequences can be devastating.

Medical malpractice can be more serious than a poor outcome from the treatment a person receives. A patient can suffer harm when a doctor does not follow the proper standards of care. At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our attorney can take steps to determine whether a doctor did not provide the level of care required in a situation. He will work to hold the doctor responsible for causing an injury to a patient. By providing personal attention during a medical malpractice claim, he can help ensure that a person's ongoing needs will be met.

Forms of Doctor Negligence That Can Harm Patients

Misdiagnosis/Failure to Diagnose

When a doctor examines a patient and identifies their condition incorrectly, or when they fail to identify a condition at all, the patient can suffer serious harm. A disease may progress without the right treatment, or a person may receive treatment for the wrong condition, leading to additional health issues. Misdiagnosis is one of the most common forms of medical malpractice.

The misdiagnosis of cancer can be especially serious. To ensure that effective treatment can be provided, the disease may need to be identified at an early stage. When a doctor fails to recognize the signs of cancer, the patient may lose the opportunity to receive treatment that would have halted the progress of the disease.

Heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolisms, and medical emergencies may also be misdiagnosed. Patients may suffer fatal injuries or permanent disabilities because a doctor failed to diagnose a condition correctly.

Failure to Consider Medical History

A patient's medical history is one of the most important tools available to a doctor. A review of the issues that a patient has previously experienced, the treatments they have received, allergies, family medical history, and other factors can provide the information needed to address a patient's current symptoms and choose an appropriate course of treatment.

When a physician fails to obtain or review a patient's medical history correctly, they may miss critical information. If a doctor does not consider a patient's history of blood clots, they may fail to diagnose a pulmonary embolism. A doctor who fails to consider a patient's family history may not realize that the patient is at risk for a particular type of cancer.

Failure to consider medical history can also lead to treatment decisions that could put a patient's health at risk. A doctor who does not review a patient's allergies may prescribe a medication that could cause a dangerous reaction.

Failure to Fully Assess a Patient's Condition

An accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan will depend on a complete assessment of a patient. When a doctor does not perform a complete physical examination, fails to order diagnostic tests, or fails to follow up on abnormal findings, they may not have the information needed to provide the appropriate treatment.

Improper Treatment Recommendations

A doctor may recommend a course of treatment that is not appropriate for a patient's condition. They could perform a procedure incorrectly, or they may fail to obtain informed consent from a patient before proceeding with treatment. A doctor may recommend an aggressive form of treatment when a different approach would have been appropriate, or they may fail to ensure that a procedure is performed within the right window of time.

Prescription Errors

Doctors will often prescribe medications for patients, but errors made when doing so can lead to serious harm. A prescription error may involve prescribing a medication when a patient has an allergy, prescribing a drug that has a dangerous interaction with another medication a patient is taking, prescribing a medication at an incorrect dose, or failing to address potential side effects that could affect a patient's overall health.

Failure to Refer Patients to Specialists

A general practitioner or primary care physician may not have the knowledge and experience needed to address specific types of health issues. Certain conditions may require evaluations by other doctors who have specialized training and experience. A doctor will need to refer a patient to an appropriate specialist to ensure that they can receive the proper treatment, and failure to do so may be considered negligence.

A doctor may fail to refer a patient with a complex heart condition to a cardiologist, or they may fail to ensure that a patient with neurological symptoms is seen by a neurologist. This may prevent a patient from receiving the appropriate evaluations and treatment, and their condition may become worse, threatening their overall health.

Contact Our Fairfax, VA Doctor Malpractice Attorney

When a doctor has failed to provide the proper care, and a patient has suffered harm as a result, Shevlin Smith, P.C. can help them understand their legal options. Our attorney can assist with medical malpractice claims, making sure the right steps are taken to secure compensation that will address the injuries caused by doctor malpractice. Contact our Fairfax doctor negligence lawyer at 703-591-0067 and schedule a free consultation.