Medical Negligence – Get the Justice with the Help of Medical Malpractice Attorney

If you or a loved one is sick, wounded or need medical treatment otherwise, you put a special kind of faith in your physicians, surgeons, nurses, and other medical professionals. You’re sure they’ll work diligently and effectively to support you as much as possible and avoid the kind of medical malpractice you might expect.

The health care professional will often do the utmost, the most professional job they can. But what if they disappoint you? Even if a medical provider is incompetent and is endangering the life, or the life of a family member? Unfortunately, this is increasingly happening in the United States. A recent study shows that medical errors in this country are the third leading cause of death, surpassed only by cardiac disease and cancer

Medical malpractice occurs when a health care provider provides treatment that falls below the accepted standard of care in the medical community, risking injury and death to the patient. Generally speaking, if a health care provider fails to act when there are others with similar training, the medical professional may be responsible for any possible injury and other damage. You could have a case of medical malpractice in that instance.

An example of a case of medical malpractice:

you go to a hospital to complain about abdominal pain, you will be examined by a doctor, who will then determine the correct course of treatment at this point you established a relationship between patient and doctor. As a doctor he or she has an implicit duty to care for their patients— which includes you. If the doctor decides that you need surgery to remove your appendix, the doctor has a duty to perform this procedure as any other competent surgeon would under the same circumstances.

Patients can be the victims of various forms of medical malpractice. Below are just a few examples.

1. Hospital malpractice

For example, if a hospital fails to verify that an employee has the appropriate degree or qualification and that the employee causes injury, the hospital may be held liable. Examples

• Making an inaccurate diagnosis.
• Refusal of the patient or refusal to give the patient adequate treatment

 2. Anesthesia Errors

Errors in anesthesia are one field where patients may suffer greatly from medical professional negligence. Three forms of anesthesia occur: local, regional, and general. Each is used in different circumstances and brings possibly different complications. One of the most serious complications of an anesthesia accident is perception of anesthesia when a patient wakes up before sleep and during surgery. Examples

• Choosing the incorrect drug.
• Giving a drug to an allergic patient.

3. Emergency room errors

However, incompetence by physicians, nurses, and other members of the medical staff can sometimes lead to severe and debilitating injuries. In an emergency room where a mistake occurs, patients may be able to file litigation to obtain compensation for their injuries. Examples

• Misreading charts, x-rays or test results;
• failure to detect cardiac problems which may lead to a heart attack;  

4. Hospital malpractice

For example, if a hospital fails to verify that an employee has the appropriate degree or qualification and that the employee causes injury, the hospital may be held liable. Examples

• Making an inaccurate diagnosis;

• Refusal of the patient or refusal to offer the patient adequate treatment

5. Medical Device Error

While medical devices are frequently used to diagnose, cure or prevent diseases, their malfunction or abuse often results in a patient suffering serious injury or death.

6. Hospital Vicarious Liability

Hospitals can be vicariously liable for any injuries caused by the negligence of their employees, including technicians and nurses, because employers have a duty of care to direct and supervise their workers. This liability covers negligence of employees, as well as systemic problems within the hospital, including unreasonably long wait times for the emergency room and infections acquired from unclean instruments.

What Does a Medical Malpractice Attorney Do?

If you’ve determined that you might have a medical malpractice case, you probably have some questions: How do I choose a good attorney and what can a medical malpractice law firm do for me when I actually find one?

In these cases are inherently complex and require the attention and skill of an attorney who is well-versed in both of these areas. The attorney you choose should:

• Have a firm understanding of medicine;
• Be able to navigate through a complex medical record;
• Know which experts to consult;

An attorney with such know-how will help you pursue your claim for medical malpractice by doing at least the following

• Reviewing information given to us to decide if you have a claim;
• Collecting more evidence to support your claim;

Determining the value of your claim;

Although the evidence and facts may be on your side, the strength of your argument may ultimately depend on your attorney’s ability to prove a causal link. Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyers know how to package, present, and explain supporting evidence to a jury; question expert witnesses; Rebut the defense’s arguments through intelligent and thoughtful means; and convert neutral facts into favorable proof or contradict facts unfavorable to your argument.

If you feel ready to file a lawsuit against your medical provider for injuries you or a loved one suffered because of negligence, contact our attorneys today.

Mike

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