OB/GYN Errors That Can Lead to Lawsuits
OB/GYN patients rely on healthcare providers to deliver competent and attentive medical care. When an obstetrician, gynecologist, nurse, or other healthcare professional makes a preventable mistake, the consequences can be devastating for the patient.
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries because of an OB/GYN medical error, reach out to a medical malpractice lawyer in Greenville at Parham, Smith, & Archenhold, LLC. Our experienced attorneys focus on helping injured clients pursue justice for their pain.
Common Types of OB/GYN Medical Errors
OB/GYN malpractice can occur during pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum care, or routine gynecological treatment. While every medical procedure carries some degree of risk, healthcare providers are expected to follow accepted standards of care when treating patients. Common OB/GYN errors may include:
- Failure to diagnose pregnancy complications
- Failure to monitor fetal distress
- Delayed performance of a necessary cesarean section
- Medication errors during pregnancy or labor
- Improper use of delivery instruments
- Failure to diagnose ectopic pregnancy
- Failure to identify preeclampsia or gestational diabetes
- Surgical mistakes during gynecological procedures
- Failure to recognize postpartum complications
- Misdiagnosis of reproductive cancers
A poor medical outcome does not automatically mean malpractice occurred. According to South Carolina Code § 15-36-100, proving an OB/GYN malpractice claim requires an expert affidavit demonstrating that another reasonably competent healthcare provider would have recognized the problem or taken different action under similar circumstances.
An experienced attorney can work with medical professionals to evaluate whether the provider’s conduct fell below the standard of care.
Types of Evidence to Prove a Medical Malpractice Claim
Medical malpractice cases often require substantial evidence. To pursue compensation, you must generally show that a doctor-patient relationship existed, the healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care, the error caused or contributed to the injury, and damages resulted from the negligence. The following may support your claim:
- Medical records, including documentation of symptoms, appointments, test results, and treatment history can establish what information was available to healthcare providers.
- Diagnostic imaging and laboratory reports that may reveal abnormalities that were overlooked or improperly interpreted.
- Surveillance footage from the medical facility that caught the act of medical negligence on video.
- Professional witness testimony from medical professionals in similar fields that can explain how the provider deviated from accepted standards of care and how the delay affected the patient’s condition.
- A detailed, written timeline of events and the patient’s resulting financial and emotional losses.
- Employment and financial records that document the patient’s lost wages and other economic losses.
- Testimony from family members or caregivers that can provide insight into symptoms, treatment delays, and the impact of the injury on the patient and/or infant’s daily life.
Greenville Medical Malpractice Lawyers
If an OB/GYN error caused injuries to you, your child, or a loved one, you may be entitled to recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. An experienced medical malpractice attorney in Greenville, SC, can help you seek accountability and compensation. To schedule a consultation with Parham, Smith, & Archenhold, LLC, reach out to us online or call our office today at 864-242-9008.