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Medical Errors
Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in Canada and result in approximately 28,000 deaths per year. [i]
In Canada, approximately 70,000 patients a sustain preventable serious injuries as a result of medical care.[ii]
What are the most common medical errors?
- Errors involving medication
- Missed diagnosis
- Late diagnosis
- Surgical errors
- Delay in treatment
- Anaesthesia errors
- Inadequate monitoring after a procedure
- Birth injuries or birth trauma
- Complications from labour and delivery
What should you do if you or a loved one has suffered from a medical error?
- Seek appropriate treatment
- File a complaint with the hospital/ provider
- File a complaint with the regulatory body
- Consult a medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your potential case
It is important to seek out treatment for any injuries caused by medical errors or mistakes. If you believe you or a loved one have been a victim of a medical error you can file a complaint with the hospital which will then be investigated. Further to that, in Ontario, all health care professionals are regulated. For example, there is the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the College of Nurses of Ontario. You may file complaints with these bodies and investigations will be completed.
Can I be compensated?
Yes. If you or a family member have been injured as a result of medical errors or mistakes then you may be entitled to compensation. You can receive compensation for your pain and suffering, treatment costs, lost income and the recovery of losses for family members.
How do I know if I have a case?
It can be very difficult to determine if you have been a victim of a medical mistake or error. In most situations, your case will need to be reviewed by a lawyer and a medical expert to make the determination. If you would like to investigate a potential medical error or medical negligence case involving you or your loved one, I would be happy to assist by providing a free, no-obligation consultation.
Advocating for Your Legal Rights
Please contact a personal injury lawyer today for a free initial consultation by email or by phone at (519) 672-5666. In many cases, your legal fees are deferred until a settlement is reached. We welcome referrals from other lawyers.
This article was written by Personal Injury Lawyer Catherine Shearer, serving and working from both our Guelph Ontario and London Ontario office locations.
