Medical malpractice is serious. It can have various short and long-term consequences—permanently damaging a patient at its worst. In fact, 10% of all American deaths are due to medical malpractice of some kind. If you fear you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice, it’s time to get a medical malpractice lawyer involved.
What is Medical Malpractice?
First, what is medical malpractice? And how can you know you’ve been affected by it? In general, medical malpractice occurs when a physician deviates from the accepted standard of care for treating or diagnosing a patient. This also happens when a healthcare provider acts negligently or recklessly and it leads to harm, injury, or death.
Medical malpractice needs to be filed within a certain period from the date of the incident, which can vary depending on the state. So, if you think there’s a chance you’ve experienced medical malpractice, contact a medical malpractice lawyer sooner rather than later.
What Qualifies as Medical Malpractice?
While medical malpractice can seem broad, it also can be simplified down to the basics. Medical malpractice typically falls under a few umbrellas: patient care and diagnosis, referrals, poor communication, and negligence.
Patient Care and Diagnosis
This is typically the area in which most medical malpractice suits are filed. If you have been given the wrong diagnosis, prescribed an incorrect medication, or not been cared for properly in some way due to a physician’s negligence, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice suit.
Referrals
Another area of medical malpractice comes when referrals are made by a physician and go awry. If your physician referred you to another doctor and that doctor gave you the wrong diagnosis or treatment, your physician may be liable for not making a correct referral.
On the other hand, if they failed to make a referral but didn’t have the necessary knowledge to give you treatment, they may also be liable.
Poor Communication
Finally, poor communication between a doctor and a patient or between healthcare providers can lead to medical malpractice. If you receive incorrect information due to a lack of communication between different doctors or if you are not informed of potential risks related to procedures or treatments, you may have a case for medical malpractice.
Doctors are supposed to keep you in the loop on all the treatments that they are performing. If you felt blindsighted, this is a sign to get a medical malpractice lawyer involved.
Negligence
The most important element in a medical malpractice suit is that of negligence. Negligence refers to the failure of the doctor or other healthcare provider to act as a reasonable and prudent person would have acted under similar circumstances. The plaintiff must prove that the doctor was negligent and caused an injury or death.
Signs You Have a Medical Malpractice Suit on Your Hands
If you experience any of the following signs, it may be time to speak to a medical malpractice lawyer. And remember, it’s better to act proactively than to wait!
1. Unexplained Injury or Death
If you or a loved one experienced unexplained injury or death at the hands of a medical professional, this is a red flag and deserves immediate attention. A medical malpractice lawyer will get your case filed and help you receive the necessary compensation for the pain inflicted both physically and emotionally.
2. Unusual Symptoms
Any new and unusual symptoms that develop after a medical procedure should be taken seriously. If you feel like your physician isn’t listening to your concerns or taking them seriously, it may be time to get a second opinion from a medical malpractice lawyer. Plus, you’ll need their help if you find out that something was done incorrectly.
3. Misdiagnosis
If the diagnosis you’ve been given doesn’t match your symptoms, then it may be time to get a different opinion. A medical malpractice lawyer can help you discern if the physician was negligent in their diagnosis and how to proceed with filing a claim.
4. Inadequate Aftercare
If you’re not receiving appropriate aftercare, chances are something’s wrong. If you’re not receiving adequate follow-up care, your medical malpractice lawyer can help you get the proper care and compensation to make sure all of your needs are met.
5. Unreasonable Delays
If you experience significant delays in treatment due to negligence on the part of a healthcare provider, then it’s time to get a medical malpractice lawyer involved. Delays in treatment can have serious, long-term consequences so it’s important to act quickly if you think delays have caused harm.
These are just some of the signs that may indicate you’ve experienced medical malpractice and should get a medical malpractice lawyer involved. At the end of the day, it’s important to listen to your body and trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, take action! And remember, medical malpractice suits must be filed in a timely manner so don’t wait too long to get help.
Get Necessary Care and Help With PMHP
A good medical malpractice lawyer can provide you with the assurance that you’re getting the care you need and the compensation you deserve. At PMHP, we are here to help. Our team of experienced attorneys will fight for your rights, provide guidance throughout the process, and even negotiate with insurance companies if necessary.
Don’t wait any longer—contact us today! Together, we can make sure that justice is served and that you receive the care and compensation you deserve.