Florida Medical Malpractice Mistakes by Practice Area: OB/GYNs
Women of all ages rely on their OB/GYNs to monitor, diagnose, and treat issues related to reproductive health, from their pre-teens to child-bearing years to menopause. Unfortunately, medical mistakes are a reality and they are often linked to negligence by OB/GYNs. A study conducted by the American Medical Association (AMA) indicates that around 63 percent of practitioners in this field have been sued by patients who were harmed because of alleged medical malpractice.
Any medical error can lead to serious consequences, but the stakes are higher when the mistake compromises the patient’s reproductive health – and possibly affects an unborn child. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the different ways an OB/GYN’s negligence can cause harm. You should speak with a Miami medical malpractice lawyer right away if you have concerns about:
- Diagnosis Errors for Non-Pregnancy Conditions: Misdiagnosis is also a common mistake regarding a woman’s reproductive health as separate from pregnancy – issues that affect the gynecological side of the OB/GYN specialty area. Serious medical conditions can arise from such diagnosis errors as:
- Endometriosis;
- Uterine fibroids;
- Various forms of cancer;
- HIV/AIDS;
- Interstitial cystitis; and
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Birth Injuries: Childbirth puts an extreme amount of pressure on the laboring mother and infant, so the OB/GYN’s role during the delivery process is critical. Duties and tasks of the physician (and nurses) include:
- Monitoring all vital signs, especially the oxygen levels and heartbeat of the fetus;
- Taking proper action if the mother or infant is in distress;
- Detecting and diagnosing high-risk pregnancy conditions that could harm the mother or the infant;
- Easing the child through the birth canal;
- Ensuring the baby is free of the umbilical cord;
- Safe use of forceps or vacuum in a difficult delivery;
- Making proper, timely decision regarding a C-section; and,
- Continued monitoring of mother and infant after delivery.
- Prescription Mistakes: If you develop a reproductive health-related condition, your OB/GYN is responsible will decide whether medication will be part of the treatment. Plus, women of childbearing years trust their physician regarding birth control options. Errors in dosage, mistakes regarding drug interactions, and many other prescription mistakes can cause harm to the patient’s reproductive system AND overall health.
Our Florida OB/GYN and Medical Malpractice Attorneys Can Advise You
Reproduction is a characteristic of all living creatures, so your life could be turned around when an OB/GYN deviates from the accepted medical standard of care in treating you. If you or your baby suffered harm because of these or other mistakes by OB/GYNs, please contact Freidin Brown, P.A. right away. We can schedule a no-cost consultation to review your circumstances at our offices.
Resource:
ama-assn.org/practice-management/sustainability/1-3-physicians-has-been-sued-age-55-1-2-hit-suit
