Medical Malpractice
Laws, Medical Malpractice

Understanding Medical Malpractice – What It Is

Medical malpractice occurs whenever a healthcare professional or physician fails to provide the right kind of medical care, neglects to treat a patient, or offers substandard treatment which causes damage, injury, or even death to an individual. These mistakes are often the cause of death because of the extensive trauma or disease that can result from being inadequately treated.

Malpractice is not limited to hospital procedures but can include surgical techniques, prescription drugs, medical devices, blood pressure monitoring devices, and much more. It is unfortunate that in the world we live in there is always room for improvement, and medical malpractice is one area where it is most apparent.

  • Medical malpractice cases are relatively easy to get as long as you have suffered damages from the negligence of another party. In some states, there is no statute of limitations on filing a medical malpractice case. You can sue any time after an injury has been sustained and the first step in a court of law is to file a claim.
  • Medical malpractice cases have a long time in court and once you are found liable for your injuries or lost wages you will need to prove that the person responsible was liable and the injury occurred due to their negligence.
  • The most common type of medical malpractice is caused by physicians. While it may be hard to imagine, medical doctors make mistakes in prescribing drugs. The drugs that are prescribed may cause damage to the body and often these drugs do not help the individual. This is an example of medical negligence.
  • It can also occur when a doctor performs a procedure improperly. Sometimes the results are not what the patient expected and that can lead to further complications which can worsen the situation. The consequences of being under the care of a negligent practitioner can lead to significant financial hardship, loss of future work, and mental anguish.
  • Another cause of medical malpractice is when a doctor fails to treat the patient properly in regards to treatment and medication. This can be in the form of not allowing a drug to be taken to cure a particular illness, prescribing the wrong type of medicine, or even refusing to administer certain types of therapy or medications.
  • Many patients who are under the care of a doctor to commit suicide because they have been subjected to inadequate medical care. When a doctor is negligent it can lead to further complications and in some cases, it can even lead to death.
  • In addition to being caused by the negligence of a healthcare professional, malpractice can also occur due to lack of proper insurance policies, under-diagnosis, and even misdiagnosis of illnesses. As a doctor, you may have to admit that you were incorrect.
  • In some cases, you might even be required to pay a penalty to your patient if your diagnosis is incorrect. Medical malpractice cases can be quite costly and this could lead to fines and even jail time for you if you are found guilty of such a claim.

If you are a victim of medical malpractice, you should consult a lawyer who specializes in malpractice. You will be able to speak with a personal injury attorney who can help you with your situation. Many attorneys specialize in this area of law and you should never assume that your state’s laws allow you to sue without an experienced attorney handling your claim. A lawyer knows the intricacies of medical malpractice law and will know how best to file a claim against those who are responsible.

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