We trust doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals to provide a certain standard of professional care. When that standard is violated, it can lead to further complications and the potential for a medical malpractice lawsuit. But how can you recognize the signs of a viable case? Malpractice attorney Jerry L. Schnurr III of Schnurr Law Firm in Fort Dodge, IA, has the answers; below, he discusses the matter in more detail.

3 Signs You Might Have a Valid Malpractice Case

1.  A Death Resulting From Inadequate Care or Mistreatment

If you've lost a loved one because of a medical provider's negligence or carelessness, you may have a malpractice case or wrongful death lawsuit. Negligence is the refusal to give adequate care and attention, and, in certain situations, it can be lethal. Examples of mistreatment include more targeted behavior, such as abuse on the part of health care professionals, which can also cause death in weak, ill, or elderly patients.

2. Surgical Errors

Errors in surgery can result in dire consequences for the patient. Depending on the error, infections may develop, existing health conditions could worsen, or new issues can arise. Examples of surgical errors include improperly sterilizing equipment before the operation; leaving surgical equipment, like a sponge or other tool, inside the body; or performing the operation on the wrong body part.

3. Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose

The most common type of medical malpractice claim is a misdiagnosis or a failure to diagnose a serious health condition. Cases of this kind require substantial evidence that the diagnostic error caused major harm to the patient; it also must be proven any other doctor, in any other typical situation, would have reasonably come to the correct diagnosis. Your malpractice attorney will design a case that highlights your diagnosing doctor's error and the irreparable damage it has caused you.

Since 1986, Schnurr Law Firm has been helping Fort Dodge and surrounding communities find the legal solutions they need. Visit their website or call (515) 576-3911 to schedule a free consultation with a malpractice attorney; attorney Schnurr also offers representation as an injury and accident lawyer. When you pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit, you are not only protecting yourself but also protecting countless others from potential harm.