One of the top causes of medical malpractice lawsuits in Iowa and the rest of the country is misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. For malpractice claims pertaining to outpatients, it is the number one reason. Patients file suits against the physicians who fail to diagnose them properly because of the missed treatments that resulted from the misdiagnosis and that contributed to a worsened medical condition or death. A misdiagnosis of a condition could also result in unnecessary treatment that can be harmful to the patient. In order for patients to win a medical malpractice suit that alleges misdiagnosis, they have to be able to prove that the physician failed to adhere to a proper standard of care.
Another common cause of medical malpractice suits is a complication during childbirth. Along with general surgeons, OB/GYNs are the physicians who are most frequently sued. There are many ways injuries can be incurred on a fetus throughout the pregnancy phases or during childbirth. Some of the injuries can be so severe that they can result in seizure disorders, paralysis or cerebral palsy. There are also injuries that result from natural causes.
OB/GYNs can be sued for providing negligent prenatal care that resulted in the failed diagnosis of a mother who suffered from anemia, gestational diabetes, lupus, herpes, preeclampsia or any other condition that caused harm to the fetus. Iatrogenic injuries during childbirth can result from the failure to properly foresee possible birthing complications due to the size of the fetus or the failure to perform a C-section.
An attorney who practices medical malpractice law may assist patients whose misdiagnosis, wrong-site surgery or botched childbirth resulted in personal injury. The attorney may consider the factors of a case and file lawsuits against the negligent physicians and the medical facilities at which they work for negligent medical care.
