Medical

Medical Negligence or commonly referred to as Medical Malpractice, occurs when a medical entity, medical professional or healthcare practitioner, through their wrongful action or omission, deviates from administering the proper care as upheld in their profession and, by doing so, causes injury to a patient in their care. Medical Malpractice could arise from an incorrect diagnosis, treatment, surgery, aftercare or general health mismanagement. Medical Practitioners, hospitals and healthcare professionals in Zimbabwe are bound by law to uphold and adhere to accepted standards of practice and provide professional care that does not put patients at any risk.

 

We can assist patients whose rights to proper care are violated or patients who are victims of Medical Malpractice, to claim damages from healthcare professionals or institutions. Depending on the nature of the Medical Malpractice, we are able to file claims for damages on behalf patients or institute litigation against healthcare institutions, or service providers such as medical insurance/ aid companies or sue the State for failing to uphold the right to access to healthcare. In the latter case, the hospital and State may be held liable for Medical Malpractice through the offending doctors, nurses, hospital administrators or other personnel under the employ of State hospitals.

 

Examples of Medical Malpractice include:

• Formulating an incorrect diagnosis or inappropriate treatment of a condition;

• Misinterpretation of test and laboratory results;

• Errors during surgery, such as, use of defective instruments or equipment, leaving medical instruments in the body during a procedure, incorrect surgery, damaging organs or tissues, and so on;

• Administering incorrect medication or wrong dosage;

• Failure of nursing staff to communicate new symptoms, complaints or concerns to doctors and other medical professionals; and

• Delayed birth, resulting in negative health outcomes for mother and baby.