Understanding Medical Malpractice May Help You or Someone You Know

Although we generally trust our doctors, mistakes occur from time to time. Understanding medical malpractice may be helpful if you or a loved one have been harmed by a doctor. Medical malpractice is also called medical negligence. Every year, thousands of people are injured or die as a result of errors made during medical treatment. If the injuries are due to neglectful care, the victim or their family may be entitled to compensation.

Types of Medical Malpractice Occurrences

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or other medical professional does not provide proper care to a patient. Malpractice may happen by performing an act that causes medical harm, or by failing to do something that should be done. For example, the failure to diagnose a medical condition could be considered medical negligence. It may happen during examination, diagnosis, surgery, administration of medication, or at any other point during medical care.

Breach of Standard of Care

Medical professionals are required to provide patients with adequate care. They know more than the typical person about medical care and treatment because of their education, training, and experience. When something goes wrong, the doctor may be negligent because they should have known that the treatment, or lack of treatment, could cause serious harm to the patient. Some mistakes are immediately known and corrected, while others may not be so easy to determine.

Gather Information and Documentation from Your Injury

If you have been harmed by a doctor or other medical professional, it is essential that you keep all of the information regarding your injury. This data is necessary should you decide to file a claim. Claims must generally be filed within two years of the injury. The sooner you begin the legal process the better, as some information could be lost. If you are unsure as to whether your injury constitutes medical malpractice, you should consult with a reputable attorney. Keep in mind that the family of a victim may be able to bring a lawsuit.

Seek Legal Evaluation of Your Case

Not all situations warrant legal action. However, many do. If you were seriously hurt because of something that went wrong during or after medical care, it may be due to medical malpractice. Discuss the situation with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer will review all aspects of your case to determine whether medical malpractice has occurred. If so, the doctor should be held responsible for the injuries, and should pay for the patient’s expenses because of the mistake.

If you or a family member were injured because of a medical mistake, you may be entitled to compensation. Call the legal team at Udall Shumway PLC for a consultation today.

This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you or someone you know wishes to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney regarding Understanding Medical Malpractice, or other personal injury matters, call Mesa AZ Personal Injury Attorney Clark R. Richter at 480-461-5321 or contact him at crr@udallshumway.com for a free consultation to discuss your rights and options. Udall Shumway PLC is located in Mesa, Arizona and is a full service law firm. We assist Individuals, families, businesses, schools and municipalities in Mesa and the Phoenix/East Valley.