If a patient is harmed because a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional did not meet the expected standard of care, this may be considered medical negligence.
Not every poor outcome is negligence, but some errors clearly cross the line. Below are common examples and situations that help explain when negligence may or may not apply.
Mistakes that may be medical negligence
One of the most well-known examples is a misdiagnosis. If a doctor fails to spot a serious illness that another competent doctor would have identified, and the delay leads to harm, it may be negligent.
Another common example is errors during surgery, such as operating on the wrong body part or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient. These are often clear signs of a failure to meet basic safety standards.
Medication errors can also fall under negligence. Giving the wrong drug, the wrong dose or failing to check for dangerous drug interactions can cause serious harm and may be seen as negligent.
What may not be negligence
Some outcomes, even if tragic, may not result from negligence. For example, a patient may suffer complications despite the doctor following all proper procedures. If the care was reasonable and based on accepted practices, it may not count as negligence.
Poor manners or delays that do not lead to medical harm are also unlikely to qualify. Negligence focuses on actual harm caused by a failure in medical care, not just unpleasant experiences.
Medical negligence involves a breach of duty that directly harms the patient. Understanding the difference between a mistake and a true breach of care helps clarify when a case may involve negligence and when it may not. If your doctor was negligent, it may be time to seek legal guidance.
