Would you know if your doctor made a serious mistake?
Wouldn’t you agree? We trust our doctors and expect that when we step into a hospital we are safe. For the most part we are. But every so often things go wrong. The frightening thing is… patients rarely realise until its too late.
Here’s the thing:
Recognizing the signs early can save your health, protect your family and your wallet. It just might save a life.
In this article we will discuss indicators that something has happened and how to respond.
Let’s jump in!
In this article you’ll find:
- How Big Is The Problem, Really?
- The Warning Signs Care Has Gone Wrong
- What To Do If Something Feels Off
How Big Is The Problem, Really?
Medical mistakes happen far more often than you might think.
Actually those statistics are scary. Recent research out of Johns Hopkins discovered that approximately 795,000 Americans either die or become permanently disabled each year due to diagnostic errors alone. That is only one category of error.
They’re not always freak accidents. These are missed diagnoses, incorrect medications and surgical mistakes made behind closed doors. And because we trust our doctors, most of us never ask why.
That’s why knowing what these signs are is incredibly important. If you believe something terrible may have happened, consider talking to people who work with these situations every day, such as the Real Tough Lawyers from Fort Lauderdale. They specialize in these types of situations and can help you determine if you could have a medical malpractice settlement.
The good news? Cutting errors in half for five conditions could prevent 150,000 deaths and disabilities each year, and most of this harm is preventable.
The Warning Signs Care Has Gone Wrong
Medical malpractice can be easy to spot. Other times it can be very discreet. Here are some of the biggest red flags that it happened to you.
Your Symptoms Get Worse, Not Better
This is perhaps the largest red flag of them all. When your condition deteriorates after treatment, or if you suddenly develop new symptoms, something isn’t right. This doesn’t always mean you were a victim of malpractice. However, if treatment makes you worse, you should always investigate further.
Think about it:
A proper diagnosis will point you in the right direction. If you continue to get sicker and your doctor has no explanation, listen to your instincts and ask questions.
You Were Misdiagnosed Or Dismissed
Misdiagnosis is one of the most frequent and most severe errors in medicine. You might have been told it was “just stress” when it was something serious. Your concerns might have been brushed aside without proper testing. Strokes, infections, and cancers are missed frequently because symptoms are chalked up to something less serious.
Watch out for these signs:
- Your doctor rushed your appointment without listening
- No tests were ordered even though you had real symptoms
- A second doctor gave you a completely different diagnosis
When another doctor looks at the same symptoms and comes up with an entirely opposite conclusion, that should be a gigantic red flag waving in front of you.
Something Went Wrong During Surgery
You are asleep under anesthesia and completely vulnerable, placing your trust in your team. Mistakes here are terrifying.
The majority of surgeries are performed as planned. Errors occur and some can be serious. Occasionally surgeries that go wrong are referred to as “never events”.
Examples include:
- Surgery performed on the wrong body part
- A surgical tool left inside the patient
- Damage to organs or nerves that wasn’t expected
If you wake up with problems no one mentioned, or are in significantly more pain than you were told to expect, request written clarification.
You Notice Medication Mistakes
Medication errors are among the most frequent hospital mistakes. Administering the wrong medication. Wrong dosage. Prescription interactions left unchecked. Any of these could seriously harm you. Hospitals are getting better about the basics. Hand hygiene compliance increased from 11% to 78% due to stricter requirements. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep vigilant.
Be sure to verify your medications. If a pill does not look right or you feel weird after taking new medication, speak up immediately.
Nobody Will Explain What Happened
This might be the most telling sign of all.
Some care providers clam up when things go wrong. They evade your questions. They don’t put anything in writing. They aren’t easy to contact. An ethical medical team will explain and answer questions straightforwardly.
Whenever you feel like you’re being left out of the loop, consider that silence to be a red flag in itself.
What To Do If Something Feels Off
You see a red flag. What do you do? Don’t panic. Just don’t ignore it either. Quick AND calm action will give you the best chance at safeguarding both your health and your rights.
Get A Second Opinion
It’s your strongest weapon. Another doctor can help you figure out if you got good care or if something was missed. Sometimes another set of eyes is all it takes to catch what the original doctor overlooked. Don’t ever feel bad about getting a second opinion. Any good doctor will be flattered by it.
Request Your Medical Records
You are entitled to access your medical records. Request all of them: laboratory results, progress notes, medication records and operative reports. They can be critical should you ever need to prove negligence.
Write Everything Down
Memory is fleeting when you’re stressed and sick. Write down basic notes of what occurred and when. Make a list of your symptoms, what date you saw the doctor, what the doctor told you, and how you were feeling after the appointment. You will find this timeline extremely helpful.
Talk To A Professional
If you truly think your care harmed you, consult with an attorney. An attorney can look at your case and inform you if you have a legitimate case or not. Most attorneys will offer you a free consultation. They can educate you on if a medical malpractice settlement is a likely option.
Final Thoughts
Being able to recognise the warning signs that something has gone wrong with your care is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself and your family.
Medical errors are far more common than most people think. But you are not powerless. Stay vigilant and trust your gut instincts.
To quickly recap, watch out for:
- Symptoms that get worse instead of better
- A misdiagnosis or being dismissed
- Surgical errors and “never events”
- Medication mistakes
- A team that won’t explain what happened
Something doesn’t feel right. Don’t sit on it. Get a second opinion, collect your records and talk to an expert. A medical malpractice settlement can’t undo the damage… but it can help your family heal.
Stay alert, ask questions, and never be afraid to speak up.
