When medical malpractice is mentioned, you may think of surgical error or mistaken diagnosis, but did you know that poor postoperative care is also a form of medical negligence? If hospital employees don’t adequately care for patients after procedures or operations, they may be guilty of medical malpractice. Inadequate postoperative care can result in infections, can prolong recovery, and can even lead to death in serious cases. Here at Carabin Shaw, our attorneys serving New Mexico have put together everything you need to know about medical negligence as poor aftercare in New Mexico. Read on to learn about what to do if you or a loved one has been a victim of poor medical aftercare.
What Constitutes New Mexico Medical Malpractice?Medical malpractice occurs whenever a patient is harmed by their doctor or by their medical professional because the doctor failed to perform their duties in a competent way. In New Mexico, any individual (or entity) designated as a “healthcare provider” may be held liable for medical malpractice. Examples of healthcare providers include:
What is the Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, the injured patient has three years after the incident (or the inaction) to file a suit against the responsible healthcare provider. There is, however, an exception for minors under the age of six, who have until their ninth birthday to file a claim via a guardian for malpractice.
When Poor Aftercare is Actually New Mexico Medical Malpractice
There are many cases where aftercare can actually be considered medical malpractice, including:
1. Postoperative Care Mistakes. There are numerous mistakes that can occur after a patient has surgery. For example, if healthcare providers do not give the patient the correct dosage of the correct medication at the correct times, this is negligence. Sometimes, mistakes like these can even result in new conditions or injuries that will then necessitate further treatment.
2. Failure to Prevent Complications. Every surgery or medical procedure comes with a risk of complications. Medical providers are responsible for anticipating and working to prevent known complications. For example, if a nurse ignored symptoms of an infection that then led to sepsis, this is malpractice.
3. Failure to Monitor the Patient. If patients are not monitored adequately after surgery, all kinds of problems can arise. If vital signs and other symptoms are not recorded according to hospital procedure, doctors may not realize that a patient’s condition is worsening until it is too late.
Injured by a Doctor? Finding the Right New Mexico Medical Malpractice AttorneyIf you’ve been hurt by a medical professional, the lawyer you choose can make the difference between a settlement that covers all of your medical bills and no settlement at all. When choosing a medical malpractice attorney in New Mexico, you need someone who has experience handling medical malpractice cases specifically, since these cases require specialized knowledge and must be handled with precision.
Fortunately, our lawyers at Carabin Shaw have been handling cases like these for more than two decades. Our talented New Mexico hospital negligence attorneys have more than 200 years of combined legal experience. If you’re searching for a medical malpractice lawyer serving New Mexico, you should know that our attorneys have secured more than $500 million in compensation for our clients.
To receive a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers serving New Mexico, call us today at 915-779-2301. Don’t wait – find out what our New Mexico medical malpractice lawyers can do for you.