Key Takeaways
What is Medical Malpractice? It occurs when a healthcare provider’s negligence causes harm to a patient.
Common Examples: Misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, and failure to treat a condition properly.
Serious Consequences: Malpractice can lead to long-term injury, worsening conditions, or even death.
Proof is Essential: Claims require evidence, such as medical records and expert testimony, to establish negligence.
Compensation Covers Multiple Losses: Victims may receive damages for medical costs, lost income, and emotional suffering.
Medical Malpractice: When Healthcare Fails You
Medical malpractice happens when a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or nurse, provides care that falls below the standard expected and causes harm to the patient. This breach of duty can result in serious injuries, long-term complications, or even death.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice
Examples of medical malpractice include:
- Misdiagnosis: Failing to identify a medical condition or diagnosing the wrong illness.
- Surgical Errors: Mistakes during surgery, such as operating on the wrong site or leaving tools inside the body.
- Medication Errors: Prescribing the wrong medication or incorrect dosage.
- Failure to Treat: Not providing timely or appropriate treatment for a known condition.
Consequences for Victims
Medical malpractice can have devastating consequences. Patients may endure prolonged pain, worsening health, or emotional trauma. These situations also result in financial strain from additional medical treatments, missed work, or permanent disability.
Building a Medical Malpractice Case
Proving malpractice requires showing that the provider’s negligence directly caused harm. Evidence might include:
- Medical records and treatment history.
- Testimony from medical experts who can verify negligence.
- Documentation of the physical, emotional, and financial impact.
Compensation for Victims
Victims of medical malpractice may recover compensation for:
- Economic Damages: Covering medical bills and lost wages.
- Non-Economic Damages: Addressing pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme misconduct, to punish the provider.