5 Types of Fatal Medical Malpractice

 Posted on January 27, 2025 in Personal Injury

Medical malpractice is one of the leading causes of wrongful death in the United States. The worst part about medical malpractice cases is losing your loved one – but a close second is the fact that these tragedies are almost always preventable. 

If a family member passed away due to what you suspect was medical malpractice, you may be able to seek justice through a wrongful death lawsuit with the help of a Virginia personal injury lawyer. 

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

When a doctor fails to diagnose a condition or delays a diagnosis, the consequences can be deadly. For example, misdiagnosing cancer as a less serious illness can prevent a patient from receiving life-saving treatment in time. Similarly, failing to diagnose a heart attack or stroke can leave a patient without the urgent care they need.

Surgical Errors

Mistakes during surgery can lead to serious complications and death. Examples include performing the wrong procedure, operating on the wrong limb or organ, leaving tools or other objects inside a patient, or failing to monitor the patient’s vital signs during the procedure.

Medication Errors

Errors involving medications are another frequent cause of fatal medical malpractice. These can include prescribing the wrong drug, administering the incorrect dose, or failing to recognize harmful drug interactions. Even small errors with medications can have life-threatening consequences.

Anesthesia Mistakes

Anesthesia errors are particularly dangerous, as even a minor mistake can cause severe harm or death. These errors can include administering too much anesthesia, failing to monitor the patient properly, or failing to recognize complications during surgery.

Failure to Treat

Sometimes, a doctor correctly diagnoses a condition but fails to provide the necessary treatment. This might include sending a patient home too soon, ignoring test results, or not referring the patient to a specialist when needed. These failures can allow a medical condition to worsen and lead to a preventable death.

How Long Do I Have to Bring a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

In Virginia, the law limits how long you have to file a wrongful death lawsuit for medical malpractice. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is generally two years from the date your loved one died.

It is important to act quickly, as gathering evidence, reviewing medical records, and consulting experts can take time. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will lose your opportunity to seek compensation.

Contact a Fairfax, VA Medical Malpractice Attorney

If you believe medical malpractice caused your loved one’s death, a Fairfax, VA wrongful death lawyer at Robinson Law, PLLC is ready to help. Our compassionate legal team understands the pain your family is experiencing, and we are committed to fighting for justice on your behalf. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Hablamos español. Call 703-844-3746 today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about your legal options.