When you have more than a minor bump, bruise and tummy ache, you often reach out to a medical professional to either determine what is wrong or undergo treatment. Symptoms can be complex, difficult to explain or even masked by other ailments. As such, medical professionals frequently use numerous resources to help detect what is wrong and what is the best treatment plan.
Despite their years of education and experience, medical providers are human and can make human errors. While minor errors should not impact a patient’s health, when major errors are made, this could significantly harm the health and life of the patient. Medical negligence could be the source of a misdiagnosis, wrong medication dosage, improper testing, wrong treatment plan and insufficient aftercare.
Understanding medical malpractice
When a medical error is made, this is described as medical malpractice. This situation occurs when a medical professional neglects to provide appropriate medical treatment, take proper action for the situation or condition or provided substandard treatment or care that results in the harm, injury or death of a patient.
Every year, between 15,000 and 19,000 medical malpractice suits are filed against doctors in the United States. This is likely just a fraction of medical malpractice incidents occurring each year, as not all patients or loved ones understand their rights, options or even situation. For those filing a medical malpractice action, patients can seek compensation to address the current and future harms suffered.
Recovering compensation
To recover compensation in a medical malpractice suit, you must provide evidence of certain facts. First, the healthcare professional failed to provide a proper standard of care. Next, an injury resulted from the negligence of the medical professional. Finally, the injury or harm caused by medical negligence must result in considerable damage. Considerable damage could include suffering, enduring hardships, constant pain, loss of income or disability.
Must trust is put in medical professionals, making it challenging at times for patients to question whether a medical error was made. These matters can be complex and confusing, making it imperative that a harmed patient understand their rights and the process of filing a medical malpractice suit.
