Frequently Used Medical Malpractice Terms


Frequently Used Medical Malpractice TermsFrequently Used Medical Malpractice Terms

An experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT knows that when people feel sick or become injured, one of the first reactions is to make a doctor’s appointment for treatment. The majority of us trust doctors and medical staff to provide only the most excellent care when it comes to our health. It can be devastating to find out that perhaps your doctor or other medical personnel did not act with the utmost diligence and accuracy. Sometimes, mistakes are made on behalf of medical practitioners. And sadly, these errors can also lead to immense harm, further injury, or even death in the patient. The injured patient or surviving family may then decide to meet with a medical malpractice lawyer serving Salt Lake City, UT about filing a lawsuit, such as Rasmussen & Miner. It can be helpful to be aware of common terminology used in such cases.

In the article here, we have listed more than a dozen terms that are frequently used in medical malpractice cases.  

Anesthesia Injury = when a person suffers an injury as a result of receiving incorrect anesthetic drugs.

Apgar Score = a doctor observes a newborn’s level of activity immediately after birth, and five minutes following. A score is calculated to determine the health of the baby, from in need of resuscitation to normal. The newborn is evaluated for:

  • Muscle tone
  • Pulse rate
  • Skin color
  • Respiration
  • Appearance
  • Grimace

Assumption of Risk = in court, a Salt Lake City, UT medical malpractice lawyer knows that this is likely the defendant’s claim that the plaintiff who was injured was aware of the dangers associated with the medical treatment or procedure.

Birth Injury = when a newborn suffers injury during the delivery process, which can occur due to negligence on behalf of the doctor or medical staff. Injuries may lead to disabilities or result in death.

Brain Damage = during the pregnancy or delivery process, the child suffered brain damage and may have occurred due to:

  • Lack of oxygen to baby
  • RH incompatibility
  • Bleeding of the infant’s brain
  • Urinary tract infection in mother
  • Poisoning due to mother’s drug or alcohol use

Collateral Source Rule = the amount of compensation provided to the injured person by his or her insurance company, should not be deducted from the amount of compensation awarded during a lawsuit.  A medical malpractice lawyer for Salt Lake City, UT can help you get all the compensation you deserve for this tragedy.

Failure to Diagnose = a type of medical malpractice where the doctor failed to diagnose, which led to serious injuries or even a fatality of the patient.

Medical Incident = when there is an error, oversight, or exclusion in professional medical services.

Medical Negligence = the doctor or medical staff failed to uphold standards of conduct or care to a patient. The standards are determined based on what a person with adequate knowledge would have done in the same situation.

Misdiagnosis = a doctor’s failure to accurately diagnose a medical illness or condition. The doctor may be held responsible for injuries the patient endured as a result of this incorrect diagnosis.

Prescription Error = considered a type of medical malpractice, this happens when the patient did not get the correct medication or dose which led to harm.

Preponderance of Evidence = the weight and value of evidence brought forward during a trial.

Wrongful Death = a death which occurred as a result of another person’s negligence, hostility or thoughtlessness.

If you have any further questions, you should contact a medical malpractice lawyer serving Salt Lake City, UT for the best advice.  Call Rasmussen & Miner today!