Women’s Health & Medical Malpractice Claims

Women’s Health & Medical Malpractice Claims

Spring is here again, with warmer temps, sunshine, and beautiful flowers in bloom everywhere. As you celebrate all the important women in your life during May, don’t forget about it also being Women’s Health Awareness Month. Women of all ages should schedule regular check-ups, keep up-to-date on vaccinations, and live a healthy lifestyle to keep health concerns such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, and osteoporosis at bay. It’s also an excellent time to educate yourself on medical malpractice claims related to women’s health issues, ranging from breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer misdiagnoses to birth injuries. Below, Pegalis Law Group, LLC sheds light on the most common women’s health-related medical malpractice issues to keep you and your loved ones safe and aware.

Why Are Women More Likely to Be Misdiagnosed Than Men?

According to several medical studies, women and minorities are more likely to be misdiagnosed than men in clinical settings. Many women (and sometimes even their healthcare providers) downplay their pain and symptoms. For example, although most women admit that menopausal symptoms cause daily living disruptions, only about a quarter seek treatment. All too often, women’s health concerns are dismissed and attributed to stress, anxiety, depression, hormones, or simply “being too emotional.” And yet, women are more likely to develop heart disease, cancers, and various chronic pain conditions.

A lack of research and understanding of how illnesses affect women is responsible for healthcare gaps. Much of modern medicine’s knowledge, including diagnoses, treatments, and clinical studies, is based on male physiology. It’s often difficult to diagnose and treat women with heart attacks, strokes, and other severe conditions when they have varying symptoms from men. Healthcare providers are working harder to close these gaps, but preventable medical errors related to women’s health can and do occur.

Misdiagnosis of Breast, Cervical, or Ovarian Cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly 250,000 U.S. women are diagnosed with breast cancer per year. Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cancer among women, with over 650,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths reported annually. While rarer, ovarian cancer has a lower survival rate (around 50%) than other forms of cancer. Of these cancer diagnoses, many are fraught with errors that can be fatal.

While instrumental in detecting breast cancer early, mammograms miss at least 12% of all breast cancers. Human errors also account for many misdiagnoses. Pathologists may misread tissue samples or imaging tests, detecting cancer where there isn’t any or failing to recognize present cancerous tumors. A missed cancer diagnosis can be deadly, allowing the cancer to spread to other body areas. Generally, patients diagnosed in early cancer stages have a much higher survival rate than those diagnosed in later stages. Never be afraid to ask for second and even third opinions regarding cancer diagnoses.

Delayed or Misdiagnosis of Heart Attacks & Strokes

Women may be more likely to have a heart attack, but they’re also more likely to be misdiagnosed and discharged without treatment. Varying symptoms are often to blame. While men usually experience chest pain, women are more likely to experience nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath during a heart attack. Being misdiagnosed can have fatal consequences. A delayed cardiovascular disease diagnosis may result in other chronic conditions before the correct treatment. Educate yourself about heart attack and stroke symptoms in women and communicate clearly with your healthcare provider about your symptoms, pain levels, etc., to ensure you receive a more accurate diagnosis.

Birth Injuries & Pregnancy-Related Medical Errors

While modern medicine has come a long way with prenatal care and epidurals, many women still experience pregnancy complications. These complications may range from high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia to infections, pregnancy loss, preterm labor, and birth injuries. Medication errors occur when the wrong dosages of medications are prescribed during pregnancy, something is prescribed that’s dangerous to the baby, or the medications are wrongly administered to the mother during childbirth. Anesthesia errors often occur when epidurals are administered during labor. Injecting the wrong dosage or inserting the needle into the wrong place can have tragic results.

Medical negligence during childbirth can result in birth injuries leading to cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, bone fractures, brain injuries, wrongful death, and more. Seeking proper prenatal care and the right obstetrician before delivery are essential in preventing birth injuries. If you or your child suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, consult an experienced birth injury lawyer to review your case.

Representing Women’s Medical Malpractice Claims for 50+ Years

Pegalis Law Group, LLC has 50+ years of experience representing women and men with personal injury and medical malpractice claims in New York. Learn more about healthcare-related issues and receive additional insights by visiting our website and following us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.