As any personal injury lawyer will tell you, health-care-related cases are among the most common types of claims filed in this area of the law. These incidents don’t have to be as obvious as a surgeon amputating the wrong limb—which has happened more than once—and they don’t necessarily take place in a hospital. They can also result from stays in rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities, to name a few.

5 Types of Medical Malpractice Claims Handled by Personal Injury Lawyers

1. Misdiagnosis of an Illness

Whether it’s a general practitioner, an oncologist, or a physical therapist, if a health care professional diagnoses you incorrectly, you may be able to file a personal injury case. Misdiagnosis means you won’t get the right treatment and puts you in danger.

2. Contraction of an Infection

Since they house many sick people in close quarters, health care facilities are home to a lot of germs. Patients who spend a long period in hospitals and other facilities are at a higher risk of contracting an infection. Poor hygiene and sanitation practices on the part of the staff can exacerbate the situation and, should an infection occur, may be cause for calling a personal injury lawyer.

3. Insufficient Staffing

From nursing homes to hospitals, care facilities have an obligation to ensure sufficient staff members. Failure to hire enough professionals puts patients at risk of being neglected. If someone gets hurt because there were not enough doctors or nurses to attend to everyone, there may be grounds for a malpractice case.

4. Improperly Trained Professionals

The staff members should also have undergone the training appropriate for their job and be certified, licensed, and vetted as needed. Say, for instance, a nurse at an assisted living facility abuses residents—and it is later discovered they have a criminal record of such behavior. A simple background check would have revealed this threat.

5. Medical Procedures Gone Wrong

This is the horror scenario many people picture when they hear the words “medical malpractice.” Examples range from leaving surgical instruments inside a person during an operation to administering the wrong medications to a resident at a nursing home.

If you need a personal injury lawyer in the Sparta, WI, area, look to Arndt Buswell & Thorn S.C. This full-service law firm brings more than 25 years of experience to the table, covering everything from bankruptcy to family law. Known for the personalized care they give each and every client, they will work to get you the results you deserve. Contact them online or by calling (608) 269-1200.