You seek medical treatment to feel better. What happens if you come away feeling worse?
Medical mistakes happen, but when these prove avoidable, your case may rise to malpractice. Look at what constitutes medical malpractice and what you can do to take action.
Was there negligence?
The medical community abides by a set of rules referred to as a standard of care. This means they must take certain steps to ensure they are doing everything possible to improve a patient’s condition. When a doctor or facility does not follow this way of thinking and acting, and you become hurt or ill as a result, it may prove negligence.
What are common examples of medical malpractice?
Some instances of malpractice occur more frequently than others. The most common form of medical malpractice has to do with diagnosing. Doctors and facilities must take certain steps to arrive at a diagnosis and treatment. When a medical provider skips an action or, worse, does not take it, a patient may get the wrong diagnosis or not get one.
Other top examples of malpractice include:
- Drug errors
- Surgical mistakes
- Infections
- Birth injuries
- Anesthesia mixups
What can you do next?
If you suspect that your medical provider contributed to your health problems, you should seek a second opinion. One of the most powerful actions you can take when you suspect something is not right with your health is to go to another provider and seek help. You might not only receive relief but also establish that your previous treatment was lacking and possibly negligent.
Your health is crucial to every aspect of your lifestyle. When you lose out on time from work and family due to malpractice, you may have a right to get financial compensation from the responsible party.