Wrongful Death Cases Involving Medical Malpractice By Larry A. Tawwater on December 06, 2016

When we entrust our health to physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, hospital workers, aestheticians, and other healthcare professionals, we do so expecting that they will provide their services according to a reasonable standard of care. Legally, we have every right to expect that they will meet such a standard. If they fail to do so, and an injury ensues, they can be held liable for the resulting losses and expenses under the legal premise of medical malpractice.

The consequences of medical malpractice can range from the painful but temporary to the disabling and permanent. However, there is no result of medical malpractice more catastrophic than wrongful death. The unexpected death of a family member can place overwhelming emotional, mental, and financial hardships on the loved ones left behind. The experienced attorneys of The Tawwater Law Firm have devoted their careers to fighting for the rights of those wrongfully harmed by the negligence of others, and they would be honored to represent you if you have lost a beloved member of your family to medical malpractice. When it comes to cases involving wrongful death and medical malpractice, our Oklahoma City, OK personal injury attorneys have the skills, resources, and tenacity to provide you with the help you need.

Please contact The Tawwater Law Firm for an evaluation of your wrongful death case today.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Not all deaths of patients that occur while under the care of healthcare professionals fall under the umbrella of medical malpractice, of course. While medical malpractice does occur - far too often than it should, in fact - the vast majority of healthcare workers are competent and careful not to behave negligently. However, it takes only one act of negligence for a serious consequence such as a patient death to occur.

Medical negligence is said to occur when a healthcare professional fails to provide care of a reasonable standard by failing to act as a professional in the same position would be expected to act under the exact same circumstances. It is important to note that physicians, nurses, surgeons, and the like are not held to extraordinary standards, despite their extraordinary responsibilities. Rather, they are held to reasonable standards. They are expected not to make fundamental, basic errors that would jeopardize the lives of their patients.

Such errors that could be considered medical malpractice that are commonly grounds for wrongful death cases include:

Failure to diagnose in a timely manner or misdiagnosis of serious health problems such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and infections.
Surgical errors.
Pharmaceutical errors, including dosage errors and issuing the wrong medication.
Hospital errors, such as mixing up charts or failing to monitor patients properly, leading to patient falls.
Anesthesia errors, such as failing to monitor vital signs while a patient is under anesthesia.