Laboratory Mistakes and Medical Malpractice

Talk to a Cleveland med mal lawyer if you believe that medical lab mistakes caused you or a loved one harm. These mistakes may carry a variety of possible repercussions, so it is often in your best interest to have your case reviewed by legal counsel. An attorney can evaluate the case to determine if a claim is warranted.

Common Types of Medical Lab Mistakes

There can be a lot at stake for a patient who has lab work done. The results not only may determine if he or she has a medical condition, but if treatment will be required. Making a mistake in either case may lead to devastating consequences.

Lab technicians are human too, and it is not outside the realm of possibility for one or more people to make an error. Especially with the growing number of aging baby boomers, the stresses being placed on the healthcare system as a whole are creating an environment rife with possibilities for overworked employees to accidentally cause harm.

The following are examples of possible lab mistakes:

• misinterpreting test results;
• improperly receiving the sample;
• improperly or incorrectly labeling the sample;
• misrouting the test sample;
• switching or losing the sample;
• contaminating the sample; and
• poorly done X-ray, CAT scan, or MRI.

Consequences of Medical Lab Mistakes

Lab mistakes may bring serious consequences. For example, if two patients’ samples are mixed up and the samples are labeled for the wrong patient, this could lead to a wrong diagnosis and unnecessary treatment. Imagine a patient being told he or she has cancer and being put through radiation unnecessarily.

What’s more, the other patient who actually has cancer may not be properly diagnosed or treated. This can lead to a worsening of the undiagnosed medical condition. In some cases, it may even cause premature death.

Whether it’s receiving an incorrect diagnosis or a failure to diagnosis, the consequences can be devastating physically and emotionally. This type of medical negligence can change the course of an individual’s life. As a result, compensation to cover the cost of damages it may be available.

Damages Stemming from Medical Lab Mistakes

It’s hard to put a value on someone’s health. You may have been given a wrong diagnosis and unnecessary treatment and suffered serious harm as a result. Compensation for any damages you experienced may be addressed through a claim.

Pain and suffering, mental anguish and reduced quality of life are examples of damages that you may be entitled to receive. This will depend on the nature of your injuries and the impact they have had on your life.

For instance, if receiving treatment that you didn’t need causes permanent disability, this will be worth much more than someone who was sick for a couple of months. The short- and long-term consequences will be taken into consideration.

Damages for your medical expenses, such as hospitalization and physical therapy, along with any wages you have lost while recovering could also be recovered through a claim. To evaluate your case and determine the damages you may recover, speak with a Cleveland med mal lawyer at The Becker Law Firm (440) 252-4399.