The Journal of the American Medical Association has cited medical malpractice in the U.S. as the third leading cause of death, after heart disease and cancer. Medical malpractice is a situation where a medical professional causes injury due to deviation from the standard of care that is laid down. When it comes to healthcare, you trust a medical practitioner to know the right things to do.
A medical expert may fail to follow the proper procedures or precautions and end up causing injuries to a patient. A point of importance though is that a patient may experience bad results after treatment but that does not necessarily amount to medical negligence. Having the expertise of specialized attorney comes in handy in such cases. It can be difficult to tell if you or a loved one is a medical malpractice victim.
Condition not improving
Granted that sometimes the results after treatment may not be favorable, but a condition that is not getting better can mean trouble. For example, if you have undergone surgery but your situation keeps worsening, then the treatment may have been incorrect. Incorrect prescription drugs or unnecessary surgical procedures are some examples of wrong treatment that may aggravate a medical condition.
Improper or Delayed Diagnosis
Using lab tests to diagnose some common conditions is standard practice but serious medical issues require more. If a medical practitioner only uses simple lab tests to base his or her treatment plans, then there may be a case to pursue if the situation gets complicated.
Another problem related to diagnosis is a delay. Sometimes, medical practitioners take too much time with lab tests, causing diseases to progress. The worst scenario is preliminary or follow-up tests taking too long and leading to wrongful death. Such cases can be hard to prove and even harder to prosecute, and that is why the experience of Toledo wrongful death lawyers will be very useful.
Lack of Communication
When you realize that there might be a problem with your treatment, the doctor is the person you turn to. However, if something did not go right, then your doctor may avoid addressing your concerns. If a doctor fails to give you information regarding your condition or other potential problems, then there is something amiss.
Second Opinion
One way that most people find out that they are victims of medical negligence is from other professionals. You may go to another expert and learn that the first treatment was incorrect or insufficient, constituting medical malpractice.
Medical malpractice victims deserve compensations, and medical practitioners need to pay for their mistakes. A reputable lawyer can help with that. Take careful documentation throughout the recovery process. If you notice any abnormal activity, seek help.
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan also enjoys researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.
