Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers fail to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in injury to patients. Understanding your rights as a patient and recognizing when medical errors may constitute malpractice is essential for protecting yourself and seeking appropriate compensation when harm occurs.
Introduction
Medical malpractice law holds healthcare providers accountable when they deviate from accepted standards of care, resulting in preventable injuries to patients.
These cases require proving that the healthcare provider's actions fell below the standard that a reasonable healthcare professional would have provided under similar circumstances.
Medical malpractice claims are complex, requiring extensive medical knowledge and expert testimony to establish liability and demonstrate the extent of damages suffered.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice
Healthcare errors that may constitute medical malpractice when they fall below accepted standards of care.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
Failure to correctly diagnose conditions, leading to delayed treatment and worsening of patient outcomes.
Surgical Errors
Mistakes during surgery including wrong-site surgery, leaving foreign objects, or damaging healthy organs.
Medication Errors
Prescribing wrong medications, incorrect dosages, or failing to consider dangerous drug interactions.
Elements of a Medical Malpractice Case
Legal requirements that must be proven to establish a successful medical malpractice claim.
Doctor-Patient Relationship
Breach of Standard of Care
Causation of Injury
Damages Resulted