If you’ve been injured due to medical malpractice in Miramar, you deserve to have experienced legal representation on your side. Viñas & Deluca’s medical malpractice lawyer is committed to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable for their actions. Call (786) 460-1814 today to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help you seek justice and compensation.
Understanding Medical Mistakes and How to Recognize Them
Medical malpractice is more common than many people realize. It happens when a healthcare provider fails to follow the accepted standard of care, leading to harm. This can include doctors, nurses, specialists, hospitals, and even pharmacists. Mistakes don’t always mean malpractice, but when negligence is involved and a patient suffers, legal action may be necessary.
In Miramar and across Florida, patients trust medical professionals with their health and safety. When that trust is broken due to carelessness or poor decision-making, the results can be devastating.
Delayed Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
One of the most common types of malpractice is a missed or delayed diagnosis. If a doctor fails to diagnose a serious condition in time, the patient may lose the chance for effective treatment. For example, not recognizing the symptoms of cancer or heart disease early on can result in advanced illness that may have been preventable.
You might be dealing with a diagnostic error if:
- You were treated for the wrong condition
- Your symptoms continued or worsened despite treatment
- A second doctor quickly identified what the first one missed
- Standard tests were not ordered, or lab results were misread
These situations can lead to delayed care, unnecessary procedures, or irreversible damage.
Surgical Errors
Surgery always comes with risk, but some mistakes are avoidable. Surgical malpractice may include operating on the wrong site, leaving tools inside the patient, or damaging nearby organs during a routine procedure. These errors can cause serious complications, prolonged recovery, or require additional surgeries.
If you suspect something went wrong during surgery, look for signs such as:
- Unexpected pain or infection
- The need for corrective surgery soon after the procedure
- A surgical result that doesn’t match what was explained beforehand
Hospitals may try to downplay these issues, so keeping records and getting a second opinion can be helpful.
Medication Mistakes
Errors involving prescription drugs can be life-threatening. This may involve being given the wrong medication, an incorrect dosage, or being prescribed drugs that interact dangerously. These mistakes can happen at any stage—when the doctor writes the prescription, when the pharmacist fills it, or when the nurse administers it.
Warning signs include:
- New symptoms or allergic reactions shortly after taking a medication
- Receiving a different medication than what you discussed
- Labels or dosage instructions that seem unclear or contradictory
Keeping track of your medications and asking questions can reduce the risk, but if harm occurs, it may be malpractice.
Birth Injuries
Labor and delivery require careful monitoring. A mistake during this process can harm both the baby and the mother. Common birth injuries caused by negligence include brain damage due to lack of oxygen, nerve injuries from improper force during delivery, or failure to perform a timely C-section when complications arise.
Parents may not realize the injury right away. Clues that something went wrong may include:
- The baby has difficulty breathing or feeding
- The child misses early developmental milestones
- Medical staff seemed rushed, confused, or failed to explain problems
Birth injuries can have lifelong consequences. Seeking answers early is important.
Failure to Treat
Sometimes, a diagnosis is made correctly, but the treatment that follows is lacking. This could mean sending a patient home too early, failing to refer them to a specialist, or not following up on test results. When patients don’t receive the care they need, their condition can worsen unnecessarily.
You may be experiencing this type of malpractice if:
- Your condition didn’t improve despite clear diagnosis
- Your provider ignored or dismissed ongoing symptoms
- Treatment recommendations were vague or inconsistent
A lack of attention or care can be just as harmful as a wrong decision.
Anesthesia Errors
Using anesthesia requires precision. Mistakes involving the type, amount, or timing of anesthesia can cause serious harm. This includes waking up during surgery, being given too much, or not being properly monitored for reactions. Anesthesia errors can lead to brain injury, stroke, or death.
Signs of a problem may include:
- Severe confusion or memory loss after a procedure
- Trouble breathing or unusual pain during or after surgery
- Being told your body reacted poorly to anesthesia without further explanation
Documenting how you felt before and after a procedure can help identify whether something went wrong.
Lack of Informed Consent
Doctors are required to explain the risks of a procedure and get your permission before performing it. This is called informed consent. If a doctor performs a procedure you didn’t agree to, or didn’t warn you about possible side effects or complications, you may have grounds for a malpractice claim.
You may have a valid concern if:
- You weren’t told about alternatives to the treatment
- The doctor failed to discuss potential risks
- A procedure was performed that you didn’t fully understand or authorize
Informed consent is about giving you the chance to make an educated decision. Without it, your rights as a patient may have been violated.
How to Spot the Signs
It can be hard to know when a negative outcome is just bad luck or a result of medical malpractice. However, if something feels wrong, trust your instincts. Start by asking questions and requesting copies of your medical records. Seek a second opinion if you’re unsure about a diagnosis or treatment plan.
Other tips for identifying malpractice include:
- Watch for inconsistent explanations from your provider
- Keep a journal of symptoms, treatment, and conversations
- Note any changes in how you’re treated after asking questions or expressing concerns
Patients are often the first to notice when something doesn’t add up. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself.
What to Do If You Suspect Malpractice
If you believe medical negligence may have caused harm to you or someone close to you, it’s important to act quickly. Florida law limits the amount of time you have to file a claim. Gather all relevant documents, including test results, discharge papers, and bills. Write down your experiences in detail while they’re still fresh in your memory.
Next, talk to an experienced medical malpractice attorney. They can review the facts and help determine whether you have a case. Not every poor outcome is malpractice, but when standards of care are ignored, those responsible should be held accountable.
Medical Malpractice Attorney Seeking Justice for You
Medical malpractice can have serious consequences, but Viñas & Deluca’s experienced medical malpractice attorney is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been harmed due to medical negligence in Miramar, contact us today at (786) 460-1814 for a free consultation and let us guide you toward justice.