Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When someone gets really sick or injured, their first reaction is usually to go to their doctor for help. Of course, the majority of patients probably anticipate that their doctor is going to make their condition better, not worse. Unfortunately, sometimes medical malpractice can happen when a doctor causes additional harm to their patients, whether it was an accident or not. If you are someone who thinks their doctor made a huge mistake which led to your health suffering, then now is the time to consider whether you have grounds for a medical malpractice claim and discuss your circumstances with a medical malpractice attorney. 

How many people die per year due to medical malpractice?

While we may not hear cases about medical malpractice often in the news, these situations do happen on a fairly regular basis. In fact, studies have shown that almost half a million patients every year die prematurely, as a cause of preventable harm done by their doctor or other health professional. The general public must become aware of what medical malpractice is, so they can identify when it’s happening to them. 

How harmful is it if my doctor gave me the wrong prescription medication?

Serious medical complications can develop if a doctor gives their patient a prescription that isn’t appropriate for their condition. It is the duty of a doctor to ensure they are prescribing the correct medication type and dosage. The wrong medication may interact with that patient’s current medications, cause an overdose, lead to further complications, or death. 

My doctor diagnosed me with the wrong illness, does this qualify as medical malpractice?

A late or incorrect diagnosis can be fatal. If a doctor associates their symptoms with the wrong conditions, that patient may then receive treatments that adversely affect their health. The patient may then begin a downward spiral until the correct disease is identified. Being misdiagnosed initially can set back a person’s progress toward the health and recovery they are hoping to achieve. 

What if my doctor failed to diagnose my condition entirely?

One of the most frequently seen cases of medical malpractice involves situations where the doctor failed to diagnose a patient’s condition. A patient who schedules an appointment because of concerning symptoms but then is sent away without a diagnosis or treatment by their doctor, may endure complications or even a fatality. This can be particularly true for illnesses that are aggressive, and in which treatment would have had an effect on the patient’s ability to overcome. 

Does my doctor need my consent for every treatment?

Yes, treatments and medical procedures can come along with a degree of risk and danger. Doctors must inform their patients of these chances so they can make a reasonable decision about whether it is the right choice for them. When a patient suffers due to complications after a procedure in which they were not fully aware of the risks, this is considered a lack of informed consent. To be eligible for a lawsuit against a doctor for not seeking medical consent, the patient must prove that they were not sufficiently notified of risks prior to the procedure or treatment.