Unless you have been involved in a medical malpractice case before, you might think that victims can only sue their doctors for negligence. But your physician might not have been the only negligent party who contributed to the harm you suffered. Fortunately, Illinois law recognizes this reality.
The fact is, any medical professional can commit malpractice. So can the institutions that hire and manage them, and provide the facilities where they work. Among the people and businesses potentially liable for a medical malpractice incident, there are:
- Medical professionals: doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, anesthesiologists and other specialists.
- Facilities: hospitals, clinics, medical groups and other healthcare providers.
The right to sue multiple parties for medical malpractice serves two purposes. One, it lets victims and their families hold as many negligent parties responsible for their actions as possible. Two, it gives plaintiffs a better chance at full compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. While many Chicago doctors carry malpractice insurance, state law does not require them to do so. Thus, your doctor might not have the resources to compensate you themselves. But the hospital where you were harmed might. Or the physician might have treated you with reasonable care, but the anesthesiologist did not. The more possible avenues for recovery you have, the better chances you have for success.
It might not be clear to you who exactly allowed you to suffer mistreatment. Medical professionals rarely admit mistakes, let alone apologize. Instead, an experienced medical malpractice attorney can review the evidence, including your medical charts, to put together a picture of what happened.