Communication Errors In Health Care Can Result In Medical Malpractice

In a medical setting, there are always a number of things that can go wrong. However, when danger is heightened because of a breakdown in communication between medical professionals, the patient and their family are the ones that suffer needlessly.

Communication errors are one of the most cited causes for injury in medical malpractice and numerous malpractice claims cite communication errors as a factor. What’s more troubling is that of those cases that involved communication errors, many of them resulted in the patient’s untimely death.

If you have suffered an injury or loss because of a medical communication error between your medical providers or practitioners, contact our Indiana medical malpractice lawyers at Langer & Langer to learn about your options to pursue a legal claim.

Types of Communication Errors in the Medical Field

Communication is key. This is true of all of life but especially of a setting where the patient’s life hangs in the balance. The process of obtaining medical care has many parties involved and communication may fail or delay between any one of them.

There are two main types of communication errors, provider-to-provider and provider-to-patient.
Provider-to-provider communication errors include:

Miscommunication about the patient’s condition
Poor documentation
Failure to read the patient’s medical record

In comparison, examples of provider-to-patient communication errors include:

Inadequate education with regards to medication
Failure to respond appropriately to a patient’s complaint
Miscommunication regarding informed consent
Incomplete follow-up
No or wrong test results given to patient
Miscommunication or failure to communicate due to language barrier

As patients, we have a reasonable expectation of proper care when submitting to treatment by a physician. This is known as the standard of care and failure to meet that standard is becoming increasingly due to a breakdown in communication that originates from the provider.

How Communication Errors Affect Your Medical Malpractice Case

Proving that a communication error caused your injury is crucial in a medical malpractice claim. Our Indiana Healthcare Communication Error Attorneys have the knowledge and experience to thoroughly investigate your case, obtain medical records, and consult experts to build a strong claim on your behalf.

Things To Do If You Suspect a Communication Error:

Keep detailed records of all medical appointments, treatments, and communications.
Request copies of your medical records promptly.
Report concerns to your healthcare provider or facility.
Contact an experienced Indiana medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.

The Medical Malpractice Lawyers Indiana Trusts

At Langer & Langer, our Indiana medical malpractice attorneys sympathize with the frustrations and struggles of our clients. After a combined 100 years of practicing law, we have seen clients through some of the most difficult claims. Our goal is to see you adequately compensated for the undue burden you are carrying because of a medical professional’s failure to communicate.

As your legal team, you can be sure we are committed to full and constant communication with you as our client. Contact Langer & Langer for a consultation and learn more about filing a malpractice claim for communication errors. We can be reached at our office in Valparaiso at 219-464-3246.

Communication Errors in Healthcare