The provision of sub-standard medical care can occur in almost any kind of treatment setting, and it's not just doctors who could be on the legal hook for medical negligence. From the failure to correctly diagnose a health problem to common treatment errors that can result in harm to a patient, this section details the different kinds of mistakes that can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Medical Malpractice: Common Errors by Doctors and Hospitals
What kinds of health care mistakes are behind most medical malpractice lawsuits?
Can I Sue a Hospital for Medical Malpractice?
Hospitals can be liable for their employees' medical negligence, but doctors often aren’t hospital employees.
You may sue a veterinarian who hurt your pet through incompetence or carelessness. But pursuing a vet malpractice lawsuit in court is rarely practical.
Dentists and other oral health care professionals can be liable for malpractice, but injured patients are likely in for a challenge or two.
If you are injured by a nurse's negligence, you may have a claim for medical malpractice.
Vaccine Injuries and Federal Compensation Programs
How the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program works, and special rules for harm caused by the COVID-19 vaccine.
Birth-Related Medical Malpractice
Learn about birth-related injuries to babies and mothers -- who can sue, and what damages may be recovered.
Surgical Errors and Medical Malpractice
A look at common causes and types of surgical errors, and key legal issues in these kinds of malpractice cases.
Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Malpractice
When can a cosmetic surgery error give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit?
Medical Malpractice for Hospital and Nursing Home Falls
Your fall injury case may be governed by principles of malpractice or ordinary negligence.
My Doctor Prescribed the Wrong Medicine. Is That Medical Malpractice?
If your doctor prescribes you the wrong medication and it ends up causing you harm, you could have a valid claim for medical malpractice. But these kinds of cases are very complex from both a legal and medical standpoint.
When a patient is harmed by a doctor's failure to end treatment properly, it could amount to medical malpractice.
Is Early Discharge Medical Malpractice?
When a doctor or hospital sends you home before it's medically safe to do so, that decision could be medical negligence.