When you trust a doctor, nurse, or hospital with your health, you expect the care you receive to meet certain standards. Sadly, that isn’t always what happens. Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers make preventable mistakes that lead to serious injuries or even death. When that trust is broken, the consequences can be devastating. That’s why having a skilled Florence medical malpractice lawyer by your side is so important.
At Murphy Crantford Meehan, we understand how upsetting it can be when you or a loved one is hurt because of a medical mistake. We are proud to serve the Florence community and help victims hold negligent healthcare providers accountable.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice happens when a healthcare provider’s actions, or lack of actions, fall below what’s known as the “standard of care.” This standard refers to what a reasonably careful healthcare professional would have done under similar circumstances. When providers fail to meet this standard and cause harm, they may be legally responsible.
There are several types of medical malpractice cases, and each can have serious consequences:
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor fails to correctly identify a condition. It’s one of the most common errors and can delay critical treatment. It can cause a treatable illness to worsen or even become life-threatening. In some cases, patients may undergo unnecessary treatments that cause additional harm.
Surgery Errors
Surgical errors include performing an operation on the wrong body part or leaving surgical tools inside a patient. These errors can lead to serious infections, additional surgeries, and lasting physical damage. The physical and emotional recovery from surgical errors can take months or even years.
Treatment Errors
Giving the wrong treatment or failing to provide necessary care can make a patient’s original condition worse or create entirely new health problems. Patients may face extended hospital stays and a much longer recovery period as a result.
Obstetrics Errors
Mistakes during pregnancy, labor, or delivery can cause harm to mothers or babies. These errors can result in lifelong injuries like cerebral palsy or other birth-related complications. Families often experience overwhelming emotional and financial strain from caring for a child with special needs.
Medication Errors
Prescribing the wrong medication or the wrong dose can trigger severe allergic reactions, overdoses, or ineffective treatment. In the worst cases, these errors can lead to permanent disability or death.
Anesthesia Errors
Problems related to giving anesthesia, such as administering too much to the patient or too little, can cause brain damage, heart complications, or even death. Survivors of anesthesia errors may suffer from long-term cognitive and neurological issues.
Monitoring Errors
Not monitoring a patient’s vital signs properly during or after treatment can cause signs of distress to be missed, leading to preventable emergencies. In critical cases, this lack of attention can mean the difference between life and death.
Other Related Errors
Other mistakes, like miscommunication between medical staff, can also have serious outcomes. When healthcare teams aren’t on the same page, patients can suffer from avoidable delays and dangerous mix-ups. These breakdowns in communication can erode patient trust and compromise overall care quality.
Common Injuries Caused by Medical Malpractice
Medical mistakes can cause life-changing injuries. Some of the most common include:
- Birth Injuries – Babies can suffer injuries during delivery, like cerebral palsy or nerve damage, often leading to lifelong disabilities.
- Brain Injuries – Lack of oxygen, surgical errors, or medication problems can cause brain injuries, which may result in memory loss, impaired mobility, or speech difficulties.
- Surgical Injuries – Operating errors can lead to infections, internal damage, or the need for additional surgeries.
- Medication Overdoses – Taking too much of a drug can harm vital organs, cause seizures, or even lead to death.
- Infections – Hospital-acquired infections, such as MRSA or sepsis, can be extremely dangerous and sometimes fatal.
These injuries can lead to long-term problems like permanent disability, the need for continuous medical care, the inability to work, and overwhelming emotional and financial stress.
Our team can assist with a wide range of cases, including those involving surgical complications, diagnostic errors, prescription mistakes, hospital-acquired infections, and birth trauma. Whether you’re dealing with informed consent issues or a standard of care violation, a hospital negligence lawyer from Murphy Crantford Meehan can help you.
Why Medical Malpractice Cases Matter
Medical errors aren’t rare. Nationally, they’re a significant concern, with some studies placing medical errors as the third leading cause of death in the United States. In South Carolina, concerns remain. The state was ranked 32nd for doctor disciplinary rates by its medical board. A Florence medical malpractice attorney can help pursue the justice and compensation needed to ease some of that burden.
How Medical Malpractice Cases Are Proven
Florence is home to several respected medical facilities, including McLeod Regional Medical Center and MUSC Health Florence. As healthcare services expand in Florence, so do the risks of medical errors. After being harmed, victims must file medical malpractice lawsuits here within the statute of limitations for malpractice, which is generally three years from the date of injury or discovery. Filing too late could mean losing your chance to seek justice. Filing a successful medical malpractice case involves several steps:
- Establishing the Standard of Care – Your attorney will show what level of care a competent healthcare provider should have provided.
- Showing the Breach – Your case must prove the healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care, which is known as a “breach of duty in healthcare.”
- Proving the Breach Caused the Injury – It’s not enough to show a mistake happened. The error must be linked directly to the harm you suffered.
- Demonstrating Losses – Finally, you must prove you suffered actual losses like physical injury, lost wages, or emotional distress.
Gathering strong evidence, like medical records, expert opinions, and witness statements, is key to building a successful case. Expert medical testimony can play a crucial role in helping you establish that the provider’s actions were below the standard of care.
What Should You Do If You Believe You Have a Medical Malpractice Claim?
If you think you’ve been harmed by medical malpractice, there are important steps to take:
- Find Another Doctor for a Second Opinion – You need an independent evaluation of your condition and treatment. A second opinion can also help you understand if mistakes were made and what care you need moving forward.
- Request Copies of Your Medical Records – These will be vital evidence in your case. Having full access to your records gives your attorney the tools to build a stronger claim.
- Stay Off Social Media – Avoid posting about your injury or treatment online, as this can be used against you. Even casual updates can be misinterpreted and harm your credibility.
- Limit Communication with Involved Parties – Don’t talk directly to the doctor or hospital about your potential claim. Anything you say could be used later to minimize or dismiss your case.
- Keep a Journal of Symptoms and Medical Visits – Documenting your health journey can strengthen your case. Detailed notes about pain levels, treatments, and emotional struggles can show the true impact on your daily life.
- Contact an Experienced Attorney – A Florence medical negligence lawyer can review your case and guide you through the process. An attorney can handle the legal side of things while you focus on healing.
If you’re wondering how to find a malpractice lawyer or need legal help for medical injury, our team can explain the steps to file a malpractice claim and help you pursue compensation for medical errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you believe you might have a claim, you probably have a lot of questions. Here are some of the most common ones:
What should I do if I suspect malpractice after being treated in a Florence medical facility?
If you suspect you’ve been hurt by malpractice, the first thing to do is seek medical help from a different provider. Getting a second opinion can confirm if something was done wrong. Keep a record of everything, including your appointments, treatments, and symptoms. Then, gather copies of your medical records. Finally, contact a Florence medical malpractice attorney who can help review your situation and explain your legal options.
Can I pursue a malpractice case in Florence if I signed a consent form before treatment?
Yes, you can. A consent form means you agreed to the risks involved in a procedure, but it does not give healthcare providers permission to be careless. If your doctor made a preventable error, you can still have a valid claim. Signing a form does not excuse medical negligence or free providers from responsibility.
Can I sue a government-run hospital or clinic in Florence for malpractice?
You can sue a government-run hospital, but it can be more complicated. There are special rules and shorter deadlines, so it’s important to act quickly. A Florence medical negligence lawyer can help you understand these rules and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Florence Today
If you or a loved one has been hurt because of a medical error, Murphy Crantford Meehan is here to help. We offer free, confidential consultations and are available 24/7 to discuss your case. Let a trusted Florence medical malpractice lawyer help you understand your rights and fight for the justice you deserve. Call us today or fill out our online contact form to get started with a free consultation.
