We put a lot of trust in doctors and medical providers. When faced with an injury, illness or medical problem, we depend on them for accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans.
Most of the time, doctors are accurate in their diagnoses. Most of the time, they suggest effective and appropriate treatment plans or make a referral.
But unfortunately, doctors also make mistakes: Mistakes that can be devastating for the patient. These medical mistakes can cause serious injuries, progression of a disease, and other damaging results.
So how do you know if a doctor’s mistake is medical malpractice? Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
· Did a doctor misdiagnosis you? A condition must be accurately diagnosed in order for the proper treatment to be administered. When a condition is misdiagnosed, a patient’s condition can progress to a point where treatment becomes ineffective.
· Was your diagnosis delayed? A condition must be diagnosed in a timely manner in order for treatment to be most effective. When a doctor delays a diagnosis or fails to order the tests necessary for diagnosis, the patient can suffer irreparable harm.
· Did a surgical mistake occur? Examples of surgical mistakes include performing surgery on the wrong area, accidentally nicking adjacent organs or tissues or accidentally leaving objects in the body.
· Was the doctor negligent? In order to prove medical malpractice, it is necessary to prove that the doctor (or other medical provider) was negligent. The medical standard of care is applied to determine if the medical provider acted appropriately. An attorney can help determine if the medical standard of care was met. If not, you may have a medical malpractice claim.
· Did a loved one die? Few things are as devastating as the loss of a loved one due to medical malpractice. Often, surviving family members choose to pursue a medical malpractice claim to give a voice to the victim and to seek justice.
There is no simple way to determine if what you experienced was, in fact, medical malpractice. It is advisable to discuss your situation with an experienced attorney.
If you believe you have experienced medical malpractice, talk to one of our attorneys. We offer a free consultation and can help you determine your next steps. Call 800-594-4884.