When you sustain a serious injury or are taken ill, you need to see a doctor. Health care providers are legally required to provide a certain standard of care to their patients. If they fail to provide this, resulting in injury, then they may be liable for the damages incurred by the patient.
Medical malpractice is the legal cause of action a patient takes when the healthcare professional or facility negligently deviates from the standard of care expected of them, thereby resulting in injury.
Here are three circumstances when you can file a medical malpractice lawsuit against your doctor.
When they fail to make a diagnosis
Failure to diagnose a health condition, or wrongfully misdiagnosing an illness, can have serious implications for the patient. For instance, if a patient with colon cancer is diagnosed with something less serious like a bacterial infection, then they may never receive the treatment they need to recover. If the patient seeks a second opinion and receives the correct diagnosis and treatment for colon cancer, then they may have grounds for pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit against the first doctor.
When they fail to administer the right treatment
When you are taken ill, it is important that you receive the right treatment for complete recovery. If the doctor administers the wrong treatment for your condition, resulting in further complications, then you may file a medical malpractice claim against the doctor. The same applies when the doctor administers the right treatment inappropriately.
When they fail to warn you about potential risks before undergoing a procedure
A doctor must inform you about the risks associated with any procedure or treatment you are about to undergo. This way, you will be able to make an informed decision on whether to go ahead with the procedure or not. If a doctor fails to inform you about potential risks, and you develop complications following the procedure, then this may be the basis for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor.
Doctors make mistakes just like everyone else. However, if that mistake results in serious injuries or health complications, then you may file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor in question so you can receive the compensation you deserve for your damages.
