Share:

If a doctor did not diagnose your signs and symptoms correctly and another physician discovered your disease after it got worse, you might wonder what to do. You may have a claim that needs the attention of a medical malpractice attorney. Here’s information that might help you understand your rights regarding this special type of personal injury claim.

How Medical Malpractice Occurs

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional commits a negligent act that harms a patient. Negligent medical professionals may do something they should not have done or fail to do something they should have done under the standard of care that applied in the circumstances. Different standards apply depending on the situation, such as a life-threatening roadside emergency compared to a relaxed examination in a state-of-the-art hospital facility. 

Elements of a Medical Malpractice Claim

malpractice-attorneyTo establish a medical malpractice claim, there must be a duty of care owed by a medical professional to the injured person, such as a doctor or a hospital owes to a patient. The health care professional must breach their duty or fail to meet their obligation to their patient, according to the community’s standard of care and the circumstances under which the events occurred.

This act or failure to act is medical negligence and it must be the direct cause of the patient’s injury. A patient’s personal injury must result in damage that can be compensated by money. 

Examples of Malpractice  

Malpractice claims arise out of a wide variety of events. When surgeons operate on your wrong body part or forget to remove a surgical sponge after completing a procedure, they commit medical negligence and malpractice. A doctor might prescribe a drug for you without asking whether you are allergic to its ingredients. If you suffer a severe allergic reaction to the medication, you may have a malpractice claim against the physician and the pharmacist who filled it.

A hospital can be liable if one of its employee nurses gives too much or too little of a properly prescribed dosage of medication and it makes the patient sicker. If a patient dies due to malpractice, their surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit.

    

If you or a loved one suffered harm while receiving care or treatment from a medical professional, talk to a malpractice attorney at Schnurr Law Firm, P.C. With offices in Fort Dodge, IA, In practice since 1986, this seasoned medical malpractice and personal injury attorney serves individuals throughout Clarion, Webster City, Algona, Boone, and Rockwell City. Get the help you need to evaluate and pursue your claim for the compensation you deserve. Visit their website to learn more, and call (515) 576-3977to set up a consultation today.

tracking