According to some studies, medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Malpractice occurs when a medical professional behaves in a way that does not meet the standard of care established for the profession and patients come to harm as a result. It is not only doctors that may commit medical malpractice but also nurses, pharmacists, and medical device manufacturers.

If you come to harm as a result of a medical professional’s negligent behavior, you can hire a medical malpractice lawyer Detroit to help you collect damages to compensate for what you have lost. Here are some common causes of medical malpractice.

1. Failure To Provide Treatment

Emergency room personnel are trained to identify who requires immediate treatment and who can wait. It is a process called triage, intended to ensure that the patients with the most urgent needs are seen first. However, emergency rooms are busy, and the personnel performing triage may fail to identify a serious case. The patient may suffer adverse effects or even die as a result of not being seen promptly.

2. Birth Injuries

A birth injury is different from a congenital defect. A birth defect results from a genetic predisposition or an abnormality in the womb. A birth injury occurs when something goes wrong during delivery and the baby is harmed as a result. The consequences of a birth injury can last a lifetime. For example, a baby who doesn’t get enough oxygen during delivery can develop cerebral palsy, a movement disorder for which there is no cure.

3. Medication Errors

Medication errors can occur when the patient is prescribed the wrong medication, is administered the wrong medication, or receives the right medication in the wrong dosage. Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists may all be liable for medication errors.

A medical malpractice case is usually a civil matter. However, if the harm to patients is severe enough and the negligence by the professional egregious enough, it could incur criminal charges.