Improper Medical Treatment: What Are Your Legal Options?

If you’re dealing with unexpected pain, complications, or a worsening condition after medical treatment, it’s natural to question what went wrong. Like any patient, you trusted your doctor to help you heal, not make things worse.

However, in some cases, patients receive the wrong treatment altogether, or the right treatment is administered incorrectly. These are known as improper treatment cases, and unfortunately, they’re more common than many people realize.

If this sounds familiar, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim.

Understanding Improper Treatment

Improper treatment occurs when a healthcare provider either:

• Uses the wrong type of treatment for your condition, or
• Administers the correct treatment in the wrong way

For it to rise to the level of malpractice, the treatment must also result in harm, whether through new injuries, complications, or a worsening of your original condition.

Intent doesn’t always matter. Even if a provider meant well, their actions may still be considered negligent if they fail to meet the accepted standard of care.

Common Examples of Improper Treatment

Improper treatment can take many forms. Here are just a few examples:

• Prescribing the wrong medication for a patient’s condition
• Administering the incorrect dosage of a drug or therapy
• Performing an unnecessary procedure
• Applying treatment to the wrong body part
• Failing to adjust treatment based on a patient’s medical history or response
• Ignoring established medical guidelines or protocols
• Delaying necessary care despite obvious symptoms
• Using faulty, contaminated, or outdated equipment

These mistakes are not only harmful, they’re often entirely preventable.

Causes of Improper Treatment

Improper treatment can stem from many different issues within the healthcare system. Some of the most common causes include:

• Poor communication between doctors, nurses, or specialists
• Inexperience or lack of proper training
• Misdiagnosis or rushed diagnostic decisions
• Overworked or distracted medical staff
• Failure to review a patient’s medical history or known allergies
• Misreading or misinterpreting test results
• Negligence or carelessness during treatment

Regardless of the cause, the outcome is the same: you’re left suffering because someone failed to uphold the standard of care you were owed.

Potential Consequences of Improper Treatment

When treatment is handled incorrectly or the wrong care is provided entirely, the consequences can be serious. Patients may experience:

• Worsening of their original condition
• New injuries or illnesses
• Permanent damage or disability
• Severe side effects
• Infections or post-treatment complications
• Emotional trauma from the experience
• Delays in receiving an accurate diagnosis and proper care

In some cases, the outcome can be life-threatening. And for those who have lost a loved one due to improper treatment, the pain is immeasurable, and no one should have to go through it alone.

Signs You May Have Been Improperly Treated

Not sure if what happened to you qualifies as improper treatment? Here are some red flags to watch for:

• You didn’t get better, or your condition got worse after treatment.
• A second doctor gave you a completely different diagnosis or care plan.
• Your provider failed to explain your options or answer your questions.
• You felt rushed, dismissed, or ignored during your visit.
• The treatment didn’t match your symptoms or test results.
• Important records or diagnostic findings were overlooked.
• Your treatment plan never changed, even though your condition didn’t improve.

If any of this sounds familiar, don’t ignore it. Asking questions isn’t just okay; it could be the first step toward justice.

What to Do After Improper Treatment

If you believe you were harmed by improper treatment, there are important steps you can take to protect your health and your legal rights:

• Get a second opinion from a qualified medical professional.
• Request your medical records and review them for errors or inconsistencies.
• Document your symptoms and how they’ve affected your daily life.
• Gather relevant evidence, including prescriptions, bills, test results, and imaging.
• Speak with an attorney experienced in medical malpractice cases.

These claims are time-sensitive. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to file a lawsuit.

If your case is successful, you may be eligible to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages or reduced earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life
• Wrongful death, if a loved one passed away due to improper care

You Have the Right to Take Action

When you seek medical care, you’re placing your health and often your life in someone else’s hands. You deserve safe, competent treatment. Not shortcuts. Not guesswork. And not preventable harm.

If you suspect improper treatment played a role in your injury or illness, fill out our free case evaluation form today. A member of our medical malpractice team will review your information and reach out to discuss your next steps.