Basic Things You Must know about Medical Malpractice
Personal injury lawyers, like the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers at Wieand Law Firm, represent people seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice. Certainly, nobody wants to contemplate even the possibility of medical mistakes or negligence that occur when they get medical care. However, the fact is that medical negligence is actually the third most leading reason for death in the US, according to the data and reports of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Hence, it is something that we all must be cautious of whenever we or any of our loved one looks for medical care.
You must know that the best way in order to avoid becoming another victim of such unfortunate medical data is simply by making yourself aware of the subject of medical negligence or malpractice. This way you will be able to become your best and necessary healthcare advocate. Begin by learning five basic things regarding medical malpractice:
1. Definition of medical malpractice
Typically, medical malpractice often happens when the negligence of medical professional results in an injury, whether minor or chronic, to a patient. Both incorrect actions, as well as inaction, can be viewed as negligence. In simpler words, medical malpractice is simply a personal injury that usually occurs when a healthcare provider or medical professional fails to deliver a patient with the required standard of care that other doctors would have provided under relatively similar circumstances and health conditions.
2. Types of medical malpractice
Common types of medical negligence or malpractice most often include:
- Failure to diagnose, delayed diagnosis, or misdiagnosis;
- Failure to warn a patient of the known risks; and
- Any kind of improper treatment, like medication or surgical errors
3. Limited time to file a medical malpractice case
A patient has a very limited time in order to file their case successfully. Every US state has enacted a statute of limitations, which legally restricts the victim from bringing a medical negligence case upon passing of a certain time period. Since such time period varies from state to state, it is critical to consult a well-versed, reliable medical malpractice attorney right away once the injury occurs in order to ensure that the patient has sufficient time to file their case.
4. Adverse symptoms may take some time to appear
Just to make you aware that medical negligence is not always obvious immediately. In fact, it may take some time for certain severe signs and symptoms to appear. For instance, in a medical malpractice case of misdiagnosis, a patient may not be aware of the underlying cause of the symptoms. Consequently, the patient was misdiagnosed until and unless the rectified, correct diagnosis is finally found. Hence, as soon as a patient realizes that a medical expert has unknowingly or carelessly caused harm, they must contact a lawyer.
5. Dissatisfaction with treatment results cannot necessarily be medical negligence
Simply being not satisfied with a medical result does not necessarily give you the right to pursue a legal action for medical malpractice. In fact, a patient should have experienced harm as a result of the actions or inactions of a medical professional that actually fall below the recognized and accepted standards of care and health service in at least that specific medical community.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.