As a patient, you expect medical practitioners to treat you with the kind of high-quality healthcare that matches or exceeds universally accepted standards of care. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Medical mistakes can worsen a patient’s current state by causing additional complications, which can even lead to death. Annually, medical malpractice is the reason for over 250,000 deaths.
By law, not every mistake a doctor makes is considered to be medical malpractice. What certifies as medical malpractice can vary between states, however, there are a few basic guidelines to look for when determining if your situation will qualify for a lawsuit.
Every malpractice lawsuit hinges on proving the medical practitioner’s negligence. This is also the most difficult part of creating a viable case. The attorney must convince the court that the additional injuries or other complications were solely due to the doctor’s lack of ability to administer the proper care for the patient. Once the attorney can successfully link the injury or death to the medical practitioner’s negligence, there are grounds for a lawsuit. During hearings, it is important to utilize the prowess of a medical expert to explain and support whether or not the doctor performed with the usual standards of care.
Another aspect that is necessary to file a medical malpractice lawsuit is proving there was a doctor-patient relationship in place. This is one of the easier steps to accomplish as all you need are medical records or any other evidence that the patient was under the doctor in question’s care.
Medical malpractice attorneys look for medical mistakes, medication errors, surgical errors, delayed diagnosis, delayed treatment, misdiagnosis, avoidable complications.
Additional reasons to sue for medical malpractice would be if the doctor’s actions were harmful to other aspects of the patient’s life. This could include the patient losing income or a job, having substantial medical bills, negative changes to his/her mental health, or excruciating pain due to the negligence of the doctor or nurse.
If you believe you or a loved one is a victim of medical malpractice, it is important that you reach out to a medical malpractice lawyer in Cleveland, OH immediately. Timing is crucial when presenting a case to the court so do not wait. The attorney can conduct a thorough investigation and determine if you have cause for filing a lawsuit. You may be eligible for compensation after seeking legal recourse for your malpractice case.
Thanks to Mishkind Kulwicki Law Co., L.P.A. for their insight into medical malpractice.