Doctors, hospitals, and medical workers have an enormous responsibility, sometimes making life-and-death decisions for their patients on a daily basis. Because their jobs are so important, health care professionals are held to an extremely high standard and are expected to deliver a certain quality of care to every patient. When they fail to do so, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

What Qualifies as Medical Malpractice?

Actual Medical Negligence

No medical procedure is completely safe, and a positive outcome is never guaranteed. In fact, not every mistake provides grounds for a medical malpractice claim if another doctor could have reasonably made the same error. However, a misdiagnosis caused by a doctor missing signs another similarly trained professional would have caught may be considered medical negligence. Medication errors, surgical mistakes, and similar situations may also give you the right to pursue damages.

Monetary Losses

The root of any medical malpractice claim is actual financial damages, so you must show that the negligence actually resulted in additional medical expenses. For instance, medication errors often result in complications that require further testing or hospitalization, and surgical mistakes often mean you’ll still need the original procedure.

A Clear Link Between the Negligence & Damages

Before collecting damages, your attorney will have to establish a causal link between the medical negligence and the additional damages you suffered. Doctors often claim that medical malpractice victims would have suffered a negative outcome regardless of their negligence. Clearly proving that the liable party is responsible for your losses requires the expertise of a skilled personal injury attorney with the necessary resources to prove your case.

Medical malpractice claims are notoriously complex, but the legal professionals at McKinney & Butler LLC have the experience and investigative resources to build the strongest case possible. They’ve built a reputation for success by dedicating themselves to fighting for the rights of victims throughout Huntsville, AL. Visit their website to find out how they can help, or call (256) 536-6307 to discuss your case and schedule a consultation.