Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are expected to follow medical standards and conduct themselves in a professional manner. When they violate these care standards in various ways, such as depriving a baby of oxygen during birth, performing surgery while intoxicated, or misdiagnosing a patient, they are considered negligent from a legal standpoint.

Negligence opens the door to medical malpractice lawsuits, or types of personal injury lawsuits seeking damages from healthcare service-related injuries, impairments, and fatalities. Learn more about medical malpractice here.

A Guide to Medical Malpractice

1. Lawsuits Come With Statutes Of Limitation

As with most personal injury lawsuits, medical malpractice cases come with statutes of limitation or filing time limits. Most states require case filings within two years to connect the injury or other medical issues to the physician or group of doctors. If you believe your health issue is due to malpractice, speak with an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases as soon as possible to stay within the two-year timeframe.

2. Malpractice Suits Don’t Increase Medical Care Costs

A common misconception about malpractice lawsuits is that they increase healthcare costs. Patients often do not pursue malpractice claims because they are afraid their costs will rise, or physicians will refuse to treat them. However, medical negligence cases make up less than 1% of hospital and private practice payouts in the U.S. and do not influence care costs.

3. Misdiagnosis & Delayed Diagnosis Are The Most Common Malpractice Causes

Most medical malpractice cases concern misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, according to recent research. Patients subsequently receive incorrect care, such as unnecessary surgeries or prescription drugs that cause adverse reactions. Other common causes include faulty use of blood thinners, premature patient discharge, and failure to follow up with the patient.

4. Malpractice Lawsuits Contribute To Medical Care Improvements

Medical negligence lawsuits improve rather than hinder healthcare services by spotlighting physicians with a history of poor patient care or bringing attention to a prescription drug that needs additional research and testing. The more patients speak up about malpractice, the more the healthcare industry is likely to refine its practices and improve. 

If you are a victim of medical malpractice, contact the attorneys at Goddard & Hammontree LLC. The law firm has served Murray County, GA, for years, with their lead lawyers offering 58 years of combined experience. Call (706) 278-0464 today to schedule an initial consultation or visit their attorneys online for a complete list of practice areas.