Chemotherapy Without Consent

According to an article from MedScape, a court has ruled that a lawsuit can move forward against an oncologist who supposedly contributed to a patient’s death by administering chemotherapy without her consent.

If that is true, then this could be a major medical malpractice and wrongful death case. When it comes to consent, we know that doctors and surgeons must explain all of the risks associated with procedures to patients. If they fail to do so, they cannot get an informed consent from the patient.

We know that there are risks when it comes to any medical procedure, whether it is a medication being given, a surgery is performed, or even something as simple as physical therapy.

There are times when a healthcare professional’s negligence causes harm. Do you know where to turn if a medical mistake has hurt you or a loved one?

At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we will provide you with an experienced Philadelphia medical negligence attorney to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

We wish we could say that surgeons, doctors, and nurses did not make mistakes, but the numbers tell us otherwise. Medical mistakes are now the third leading cause of death in the US, killing around 250,00 people a year.

How do these mistakes happen?

• Hospital-acquired infections are one of the most common, yet most preventable, ways that people become ill or die in a healthcare setting. If the hospital staff fails to regularly maintain IV sites, open wounds, recent surgical sites, and respiratory equipment, they are putting patients in jeopardy. Patients often see their infections turn into sepsis. In fact, 1 in 3 people who die in the hospital has sepsis.
• Diagnostic errors cause the most patient harm and account for the largest fraction of medical malpractice claims according to Johns Hopkins researchers. This can happen because of an overworked hospital staff, inexperienced doctors misreading charts and tests, or simple negligence.
• Medication errors are a major problem and can include patients receiving the wrong dosages, not receiving their medications at all, or receiving the wrong medication.
• Surgical errors can be detrimental. Major mistakes like operating on the wrong person or body part, leaving objects behind inside of a patient, or performing the wrong surgery can disable or kill a patient.

Moving Forward

These are not the only ways in which a person can experience medical malpractice. If you or a loved one have been hurt due to a medical mistake, we advise you to seek legal assistance today. These cases can become complex and hard to understand, but an experienced attorney will be able to walk you through the entire process. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we will be by your side the whole way. We know how scary medical mistakes can be. They can alter your life. We do not think you should have to pay for a mistake that is not your fault. When you need a Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.