Articles Posted in Medical Malpractice

Fining a new doctor is not something that should be taken lightly. With medical malpractice cases making news weekly, many patients are beginning to understand the importance of vetting a doctor before they entrust that medical professional with their health and wellness. If you are looking for a new doctor, no matter the reason, here are some tips to follow.

1. Insurance

If you have insurance, you will want to take a look at your list of in-network providers. These are the people who you should be researching. Looking at anyone else would be a waste of time unless you plan on paying out of pocket for your medical care. You can find a list of network providers by visiting your insurance company’s website or calling their customer service line.

Effective communication between a patient and doctor can reduce the chances of error. Medical malpractice experts are of the opinion that open lines of communication between a medical team and their patient are imperative for excellent care. Unfortunately, many patients shy away from asking their doctor questions, deferring to their professional expertise. If you need some tips for communicating effectively with your doctor, keep reading.

Ask Questions

Never be afraid to ask your doctor a question. If you don’t understand something, ask that it be clarified. Jot questions down on a piece of paper before your appointment. Let the doctor know that you have questions that may require their time. You may be directed to a physician assistant or nurse.

Every day, people enter the hospital for surgery and expect to wake up healed. For many, their expectations are met without issue. For others, expectations turn to fear as life-altering mistakes are discovered. Knowing the most common surgical errors can help you and your family remain vigilant as you prepare to go under the knife.

1. Foreign Objects Forgotten

When you have surgery, your medical team will use scalpels, sponges, gauze pads and other instruments and supplies. These are normally removed and set aside. Sometimes, though, these items are left behind in the patient and closed inside. When this happens, infection, pain and serious consequences can be the result. If you feel ill or in an way odd after surgery, be sure to consult your physician or surgeon immediately.

The two major basis of medical malpractice claims are misdiagnosis and a failure to diagnose. It’s important to note that not all misdiagnosis are grounds for a claim, and not all claims lead to successful lawsuits. Even some of the best doctors can misdiagnose patients or fail to diagnose an illness in a timely manner. In order for a case to be resolved successfully, improper medical care must be proven. In addition, the patient’s condition must be worsened due to that improper care.

What You Need to Prove

In order to prove your case, you must prove:

Medical professionals have long complained about frivolous lawsuits. While some medical malpractice suits certainly have their merit, others are nothing but a waste of the court’s time. Baseless lawsuits happen every day. People are not required to prove their cases to an incredibly high standard thanks, in part, to these ridiculous suits. Here are just a few of the most shockingly embarrassing:

1. Off Goes the Hand

A construction worker used a power saw to slice off his own hand after claiming to see “666” carved into it. His hand was packed in ice by coworkers and he was promptly transported to the hospital. A surgeon attempted to reattach the hand but the patient refused to give his consent. It should be noted that the patient was deemed competent by a psychiatrist. Later on, that patient sued the surgeon claiming that he was psychotic and the surgeon should have reattached his hand despite his refusal to allow the surgery.

Some medical errors are preventable, and some are not. Unfortunately, if you were the victim of an error, you may have to suffer with the consequences. You may be forced to live with health issues or a debilitating injury. If you believe that you have been the victim of a medical provider’s mistake, there are steps you need to take.

Seek Medical Attention

The first thing that should be on our mind if your health. If you believe that you have been harmed by a doctor or other medical provider, seek help immediately. You may be frightened at the prospect of visiting yet another doctor, but it is in your best interest. Another physician may be able to help you.

The term “medical malpractice” is one most people have heard of. It’s on television advertisements, in the news and online. But what is it, exactly? Medical malpractice is not always something that is easy to prove. In fact, it can be a complicated legal battle that requires the experience and knowledge of a dedicated attorney.

The Basics

Medical malpractice is caused when a medical professional does or doesn’t do something. More specifically, that something results in some type of injury or harm to the patient. This is called medical negligence.