Types of Medical Malpractice Cases
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.
What kinds of health care mistakes are behind most medical malpractice lawsuits?
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.
Learn what nursing malpractice is, how it happens, who’s legally responsible when a nurse is negligent, and more.
How the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program works, and special rules for harm caused by the COVID-19 vaccine.
Find out about birth-related injuries to mothers and babies, and when a health care provider might be to blame.
Find out when a surgical error rises to the level of malpractice, why surgical errors happen, and what kinds of surgical errors are among the most common.
Find out what cosmetic surgery is, the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures, the kinds of errors that can happen, and some of the things to watch out for in a cosmetic surgery malpractice case.
Your fall injury case may be governed by principles of malpractice or ordinary negligence.
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.
When a doctor or hospital sends you home before it's medically safe to do so, that decision could be medical negligence.
Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo
Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.
Online Form
Accident Claim Worksheet
Online Form
Demand Letter
Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.
More Legal Issues
Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.
Corporations Car Accidents Criminal Law Debt Management Disability Law Divorce & Family Law
Learn About Our Team
Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.
Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.
Need a Lawyer? We Can Help
Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.
Describe Your Case
Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.
Get Connected
We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.
Hire an Attorney
Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.
Nolo Legal Dictionary
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.
Are You an Attorney?
Grow your firm with Martindale-Nolo, the largest legal network, and learn more about our attorney lead-generation and marketing services.
Integrity and Expertise You Can Rely On
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.
Copyright ©2025 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo ® Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Consumer Health Data Notice.
Your Privacy Choices