When you go to a doctor for care, you trust that they have the necessary education and experience to help treat you. While many doctors take the utmost care of their patients, accidents happen. However, you should not be left to suffer the consequences. If you were injured due to the negligence of your doctor while receiving treatment, you are likely eligible to recover compensation with the help of medical malpractice attorneys. Keep reading to learn more about these unfortunate circumstances and how to proceed with a claim.
What injuries can I sustain while undergoing treatment?
Unfortunately, there are a number of injuries and issues that can arise when you’re undergoing treatment with a medical professional.
Commonly, injuries can arise while a patient is undergoing a surgical procedure. Though many surgeons are skilled professionals, mistakes can arise. These often include anesthesia errors which can cause brain damage, sepsis from unsterilized fields, surgery on the wrong site, or damaging healthy organs while operating.
Another issue that can cause injury is the failure to diagnose an issue properly and quickly. Unfortunately, when a doctor does not order tests, examine the data, ask for a patient’s background information, or they diagnose an issue based on bias, it can lead to numerous problems. A delayed or incorrect diagnosis can lead to a worsening condition, unnecessary pain and suffering, permanent disability, and high medical bills.
How can I prove the doctor was liable?
Proving medical malpractice or negligence can be a complex issue for many. Generally, there are four things you must prove:
- The doctor owed you a duty of care
- The doctor breached this duty of care
- You sustained an injury
- The injury you sustained was caused because of the breach
If injured due to a negligent healthcare provider, the most important thing to do is contact an experienced personal injury as soon as possible. Unfortunately, many hospitals will protect their doctors with legal representation, so ensuring you are represented also is essential.
Aside from retaining legal guidance, you’ll want to make copies of all medical records and share them with your attorney. These reports can contain information that can help prove your case against the negligent doctor.
Though you may go to your doctor to feel better, it can end up having the opposite effect. If you were injured during surgery or your primary care provider failed to diagnose an issue, it’s essential to have an attorney on your side. At Friedman Schuman, we understand how devastating it can be to find the injury you’ve suffered was preventable with the necessary level of care from your provider. As such, we will do everything possible to assist you through these challenging times. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
