In the United States, medical malpractice is a common occurrence. According to one study, around 5% of all doctors in the US have been accused of malpractice at least once in their careers.
Medical malpractice can occur when there is a medical mistake or medical negligence committed by a healthcare provider or doctor. Most people associate medical malpractice with surgery mistakes or medication errors. However, there are other types of medical errors that can lead to medical malpractice including misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, and failure to treat.
A good medical malpractice attorney knows the ins and outs of the law as it applies to your particular case. They’re used to dealing with insurance companies, other attorneys, and the court system. They’ll handle all of the legal paperwork and make sure everything is filed correctly and on time.
While some of these lawsuits may be frivolous, many are legitimate claims that stem from mistakes made by doctors and hospitals. Every year, thousands of people die or become seriously ill because of negligent doctors and other healthcare providers. Others suffer debilitating injuries that may require extensive medical treatment, lifelong care, or permanent disabilities.
Here are some of the most common medical malpractice mistakes that occur:
Failure to diagnose
The most common claim of medical malpractice has to do with failure to diagnose. This can happen when a doctor fails to properly read test results or misinterpret test results. Either way, if the diagnosis is not correct, then it could be a case of medical malpractice.
The best way to determine whether or not you have a case worth pursuing is to consult with a medical malpractice attorney, like our friends at David & Philpot, P.L who specializes in this kind of law. They will meet with you and ask questions about what happened, and will then give their opinion about whether or not you have a case worth pursuing.
Misdiagnosis
Another obvious mistake that can cause a patient harm is misdiagnosis. As soon as you hear an incorrect diagnosis, it could lead to treatment for an illness you don’t have or delay treatment for an illness that you do have. For example, if someone was diagnosed with the flu instead of pneumonia and was given ibuprofen for treatment, this could lead to serious health issues if the patient did actually have pneumonia.
If you sue for medical malpractice, you must prove that the doctor or other healthcare provider was negligent in his job. This is usually not as simple as proving that something went wrong during your treatment. Instead, you need to show that a reasonable physician would have done something differently in your situation than what actually occurred. This means you may need to present expert testimony from another doctor or healthcare provider to win your case. Without a medical malpractice attorney, obtaining this type of testimony may prove difficult.
If you are a victim of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.