Understanding Medical Malpractice Claims and the Role of Medical Record Reviews

Medical malpractice is a serious issue, and one of the most important aspects of a medical malpractice case is the proper review of medical records. Without an accurate and comprehensive review, it can be difficult to determine if any negligence or misconduct occurred. Medical record reviews are an essential part of any medical malpractice case, and they should include all relevant records related to the claim.

In this post, we will discuss some common medical malpractice claims that require extensive medical record review. We’ll also cover why it’s important to have a qualified professional perform the review to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice Claims

There are many different types of medical malpractice claims, but some of the most common involve errors in diagnosis or treatment. To determine if there is merit to a claim, an attorney will often request a complete copy of the patient’s medical records. This request is usually made after the client has signed a medical release form authorizing the attorneys to review the records.

1. Delay in Diagnosis or Treatment

This occurs when a doctor orders treatment for a condition but does not follow up to ensure it is carried out properly. For example, a doctor may order medication for a patient with high blood pressure but fail to check if the medication is taken as prescribed. This negligence can lead to serious consequences, such as a stroke.

2. Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis happens when a doctor incorrectly diagnoses a condition, resulting in unnecessary treatment or no treatment for the actual condition. For instance, a woman complaining of fatigue and weight gain may be incorrectly diagnosed with depression when she actually has thyroid problems.

3. Failure to Treat

This type of claim occurs when a patient is not properly diagnosed or treated for a serious condition. For example, if a patient comes to the emergency room with chest pain but is sent home without a proper diagnosis of a heart attack, and later suffers a heart attack and dies, the family may have a wrongful death claim against the hospital.

What is Medical Record Review?

Medical record review is the process of examining a patient's medical records to determine if there are any potential issues that could lead to a medical malpractice claim. This can be done by a medical expert or someone with experience in reviewing medical records.

Potential Issues Uncovered During Review

Common issues that can be uncovered include:

• Incorrect diagnoses
• Delayed diagnoses
• Failure to properly treat a condition
• Misdiagnosis of a condition
• Improperly performed procedures
• Incorrect medication prescribed

These are just some of the potential issues that could be discovered during a medical record review. If any of these issues are found, they could lead to a medical malpractice claim.

The Importance of an Experienced Medical Record Reviewer

The importance of an experienced medical record reviewer cannot be overstated. Medical malpractice claims can be very complex and often require a detailed review of medical records to identify potential areas of liability.

Key Functions of a Medical Record Reviewer:

• Identify Key Information: Experienced reviewers know how to pinpoint crucial details that support a malpractice claim.
• Assess Claim Strength: They look for mitigating factors that could influence the amount of damages recoverable.

For example, if the patient was aware of their condition but chose not to seek treatment, this could limit their ability to recover damages for pain and suffering.

Conclusion

Medical malpractice claims can be complex and require a thorough review of the medical records to determine if the claim is valid. Common types of claims that may require a record review include misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose or treat, medication errors, surgical mistakes, birth injuries, and other forms of negligence.

Understanding how an independent medical record review works will help you better understand how lawyers investigate these claims and potentially help you receive compensation for damages incurred due to professional negligence. Additionally, hiring an expert medical record review service like 1Point1 will aid legal firms in properly conducting claim requests and increasing their chances of success.

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