Medical malpractice does not mean a treatment did not work. It means the provider failed to follow the accepted standard of care for someone in your situation, and that failure caused you harm. Recognizing the warning signs can help you decide whether to seek a second opinion — or speak with an attorney.
Common warning signs
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis — particularly with cancers, strokes, heart attacks, and infections, where time matters.
- Surgical errors — wrong-site surgery, retained instruments, or anesthesia errors.
- Birth injuries — failure to monitor fetal distress, improper use of forceps or vacuum, or delayed C-sections.
- Medication errors — wrong drug, wrong dose, or failure to check for interactions.
- Hospital-acquired infections traceable to inadequate sterilization or hygiene protocols.
What to do
Keep your records. Get copies of test results, imaging, and discharge summaries. If something feels wrong, get a second opinion from an unaffiliated provider. Then speak with a medical malpractice attorney — these cases require expert review and have strict filing deadlines under Michigan law.