When Should You Consult a Malpractice Attorney?
Medical malpractice is a commonly overlooked issue that has affected the lives of many. In 2018, medical malpractice victims in the US were paid about $4,031,987,700 in settlement for negligence.
The number keeps increasing by the year, which is why medical malpractice victims must speak to a malpratice attorney as soon as they’ve suffered injuries due to a medical professional or facility’s negligence.
This article helps you understand what medical malpractice is and when to consult a medical malpractice attorney.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is any act by a medical professional or facility breaching the professional trust and duty of care to patients. Such acts of negligence can lead to injuries or health complications for patients.
In essence, medical malpractice occurs when a medical staff, physician, or facility fails to give a patient the appropriate care or attention needed to improve their quality of life or condition.
The following elements must be present for a medical malpractice case to stand;
- The healthcare provider or facility did not provide the necessary and appropriate attention or care to the patient
- The professional or facility’s negligence has led to the patient’s injury or death
- The injury caused by the negligence caused real and damaging consequences to the patient and/or loved ones.
You should see a medical malpractice lawyer if you’ve experienced injuries or health complications with these three elements present.
When to Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney?
It’s important to speak to a medical malpractice attorney as soon as you’ve experienced injuries or health complications resulting from your healthcare provider or institution’s negligence. Some common instances include;
Medical Misdiagnosis and Mistreatment
Medical misdiagnosis happens when the healthcare provider fails to consider the patient’s holistic health history before diagnosing a condition. The misdiagnosis may often mean further health complications, especially because the primary problem will be untreated while another issue is being addressed.
Misdiagnosis and mistreatment are one of the leading types of medical malpractice. This problem can often lead to death due to a lack of proper attention to the problem suffered.
Contact a lawyer if you have a loved one who has suffered misdiagnosis, mistreatment, or late diagnosis. Your medical malpractice lawyer will carefully assess the case and help you understand your options.
Lack of Communication
Follow-ups are important to medical care and treatment. Healthcare professionals are expected to follow up with their patients to understand their responsiveness to treatment and care. However, sometimes, professionals and facilities may simply skip this important aspect of treatment.
Failing to follow up with treatment can expose patients to various complications. A lack of communication can also cut patients from the right steps to maintain or improve their healing chances.
These complications may result in short or long-term disabilities or even death. Victims or their families should contact a medical malpractice lawyer to discuss such occurrences and how to proceed.
Surgical Complications
Surgical procedures are often risky and complicated. However, healthcare professionals are required to do their absolute best to manage such situations to protect the patient’s life.
In some cases, healthcare professionals may make mistakes like operating on the wrong site, forgetting surgical materials inside patients, failing to address surgical procedures as expected, and more. Other instances may be due to inadequate facilities, a lack of professionals to manage aspects of the procedures, and others. All these can complicate the procedure and put the patient at risk.
Victims of surgical complications due to negligence from healthcare professionals or facilities are entitled to seek damages in the form of medical malpractice claims. They can address such issues through a medical malpractice lawyer.
Neglect Due to Low Staffing
Nursing homes and medical facilities are facing a staff crunch. However, this should not be a burden passed onto patients and residents.
The regulations surrounding medical practices states clearly the ratio between patients and medical professionals and staff. Going above the ratio can often lead to neglect which can be presented in the form of missed medication, missed health support, misdiagnosis, bed sores, and others.
All these can further complicate a patient’s health and expose them to more dangerous decline. Such instances should be recorded and reported to a lawyer who can take the case against the medical facility and professionals for adequate redress.
Addressing Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical malpractice cases are often complex and complicated. Finding the at-fault party often requires an in-depth understanding of the law as well as the roles of medical professionals and facilities. Contacting a medical malpractice attorney can help.
Experienced medical malpractice lawyers can help patients understand their situation, name the at-fault party or parties, estimate the total monetary value of losses suffered, and demand the right amount in settlement or proceed to trial.
