Rockford, IL Medical Malpractice Lawyers

It was a pleasure working with the office of Newland & Newland LLP. Gary Newland took care of my case and explained everything to me about what to expect for my case. He demonstrated a lot of compassion, very professional.

When people receive medical care, they expect that the proper treatments will be provided. They believe that doctors will assess their health and medical condition correctly, that nurses or other medical personnel will monitor them and address their concerns, and that the proper steps will be taken to address any issues and protect their overall health. Unfortunately, there are some situations where medical professionals may not provide the expected level of care.

Negligence in medical settings can put patients at serious risk of harm, and the consequences of medical malpractice can be devastating. Patients may experience injuries or illnesses that could affect their overall health or lead to permanent disabilities. In the most tragic cases, wrongful death may occur because of medical negligence. At Newland & Newland, LLP, our attorneys help people in Rockford address the harm they have suffered because of medical malpractice. We work to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable and recover the full compensation our clients deserve.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice may occur when a healthcare provider does not meet accepted standards of care in their field, and their failure to provide the proper care causes harm to a patient. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are required to treat patients with the same level of care and skill that a competent provider with the same level of education, training, and experience would have provided in similar circumstances. When a provider fails to do so, and a patient suffers an injury as a result, the patient may take steps to hold the provider responsible through a medical malpractice claim.

Forms of Medical Malpractice

Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis

A timely and accurate diagnosis of a patient's condition will be needed to ensure that effective medical care can be provided. When a physician fails to diagnose a serious condition or diagnoses a condition too late to provide effective treatment, the consequences for the patient can be catastrophic.

Cancer misdiagnosis can be especially devastating for patients. A patient whose cancer is not identified until it has advanced to a later stage may not be able to receive treatment that could have been effective if a proper diagnosis had been made in time. Heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolisms, appendicitis, and meningitis are other serious conditions that may be misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late.

Surgical Errors

Surgery involves risks, and surgeons and other personnel involved in procedures will need to follow the correct steps to prevent patients from suffering harm. Preventable surgical errors can lead to injuries that may affect a patient's health or cause ongoing issues. are preventable and represent a departure from acceptable surgical practice.

In some cases, a surgeon may operate on the wrong part of the body, which can injure a patient without addressing the underlying medical issues. Surgeons may also leave surgical instruments or other objects inside a patient's body after a procedure, which can lead to severe infections, internal injuries, and other complications. Other surgical errors may include unintentional damage to nearby organs, nerves, or blood vessels or failure to monitor a patient correctly and address potential concerns after a procedure has been completed.

Emergency Room Errors

Emergency rooms are high-pressure environments. Patients who experience medical emergencies will need to be evaluated and treated quickly. Mistakes may be made when providing treatment, and negligence can put patients at risk of serious injuries. Common emergency room errors include failure to recognize the signs of a heart attack or stroke, failure to order appropriate diagnostic tests, premature discharge of patients, or medication errors in emergency settings.

Hospital Negligence

Hospitals are required to protect the safety and well-being of patients. A hospital may be held liable for injuries to patients that occur because of negligence in hiring, training, or supervising staff. Injuries may also occur if a hospital fails to prevent infections, if medication errors occur, if patients are not properly monitored and assisted due to inadequate staffing, or if problems with record-keeping and communication affect the treatment that patients receive.

Physician and Primary Care Negligence

When treating patients, family doctors and primary care physicians will need to take the right steps to identify health problems, order tests, make referrals, and manage ongoing health concerns. When a primary care physician does not recognize the warning signs of a serious illness, does not follow up on test results, fails to manage a chronic condition such as diabetes or hypertension correctly, or fails to refer a patient to a specialist when necessary, these doctor errors can cause patients to suffer serious harm.

Anesthesiology Errors

Anesthesia is a crucial part of many medical procedures, and errors by anesthesiologists can have catastrophic consequences for patients. These errors may include administering the wrong dose of anesthesia, failing to review a patient's medical history and address risk factors, failure to monitor a patient's vital signs during a procedure, or failure to recognize and respond to complications related to anesthesia. Anesthesia errors can result in brain damage from oxygen deprivation, cardiovascular problems, or even death.

Pharmacy Errors

Pharmacists and pharmacy staff members are responsible for filling prescriptions correctly and providing patients with the information they need to take medications safely. When a pharmacy dispenses the wrong medication, provides the wrong dosage, or does not provide patient consultations, patients may suffer harm. Individual pharmacists or pharmacy chains may be held responsible for pharmacy errors.

Radiology Errors

Radiologists may perform X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds, and their interpretation of the results of these tests can help ensure that a patient will receive the proper medical treatment. When radiology errors occur, such as failing to identify abnormalities or failing to report findings to doctors correctly, they may lead to a misdiagnosis or other issues that could prevent a patient from receiving the proper treatment.

Birth Injuries

Medical negligence may take place during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, and it can cause harm to a mother or child. The consequences of birth injuries can affect a child throughout their lifetime, or a mother may experience ongoing health concerns. Some birth injuries may lead to the wrongful death of a child or mother. Common birth injuries include brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen during delivery, which can result in cerebral palsy or other developmental disorders. Brachial plexus injuries may also occur when improper techniques are used during delivery, and they may lead to conditions such as Erb's palsy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice in Rockford

Contact Our Rockford Medical Malpractice Lawyers

In situations where the negligence of a doctor or other healthcare provider has caused you to suffer serious harm, the lawyers at Newland & Newland, LLP can provide the legal representation needed to ensure that you will be fully compensated for your damages. Our legal team understands the impact that medical negligence can have on you and your family, and we will fight to ensure that you will be able to recover and move forward. Contact our Rockford, IL medical negligence attorneys at 847-797-8000 to arrange a free consultation.