How do you know if your doctor failed you?

Medical Malpractice: When Healthcare Professionals doctor failed
Medical malpractice, also known as medical negligence, occurs when a healthcare provider, such as a doctor, nurse, or hospital, fails to meet the accepted standards of medical care, resulting in harm to a patient. This can include injuries, illnesses, or the worsening of existing conditions.
Key Elements of a Medical Malpractice Claim
To successfully pursue a medical malpractice claim, you generally need to demonstrate the following:

• Doctor-Patient Relationship: You were under the care and treatment of the healthcare professional.
• Breach of the Standard of Care: The healthcare provider failed to provide care that meets the accepted standards of medical practice for the specific situation. This often requires expert medical testimony to establish the appropriate standard of care and demonstrate the provider’s deviation from it.
• Causation: The provider’s negligence directly caused your injuries or worsened your condition.

Common Examples of Medical Malpractice:

• Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Failure to accurately diagnose a condition or delay in diagnosis that leads to worsened outcomes.
• Surgical Errors: Mistakes during surgery, such as operating on the wrong body part, leaving foreign objects inside the patient, or causing excessive bleeding.
• Medication Errors: Prescribing the wrong medication, administering the wrong dosage, or failing to identify and address drug interactions.
• Birth Injuries: Injuries to the mother or child during childbirth due to negligence, such as improper handling of the baby or failure to recognize and address complications.
• Failure to Obtain Informed Consent: Performing a procedure without adequately informing the patient of the risks, benefits, and alternatives.
• Lack of Monitoring: Failure to adequately monitor a patient’s condition, leads to complications such as worsening infections or heart attacks.

Proving Medical Malpractice:
Establishing medical malpractice typically requires expert testimony from other healthcare professionals who can:

• Define the applicable standard of care: Explain what a reasonably competent healthcare provider would have done in the same or similar circumstances.
• Assess the provider’s actions: Determine whether the provider’s actions fell below the accepted standard of care.

The “Res Ipsa Loquitur” Doctrine:
In some cases, the doctrine of “res ipsa loquitur” (“the thing speaks for itself”) may apply. This doctrine can help establish negligence when:

• The injury would not ordinarily occur in the absence of negligence.
• The cause of the injury was under the exclusive control of the healthcare provider.
• The patient did not contribute to the injury.

What to Do if You Suspect Medical Malpractice:

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Address any ongoing health concerns.
• Document Your Experience: Keep detailed records of medical appointments, treatments, and any communication with healthcare providers.
• Consult with an Experienced Attorney: Medical malpractice cases are complex. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options.

Law Firm Recommendation:

• Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore (KDLM): With over 74 years of experience and a history of securing billions in settlements for their clients, KDLM is a law firm known for its expertise in complex medical malpractice cases. Their team of skilled attorneys has the knowledge and resources to fight for your rights and achieve the best possible outcome.