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What Is Medical Malpractice?

The Law Office of Daryl G. Hawkins, LLC Aug. 7, 2020

When a patient goes to the doctor or hospital for treatment and has negative consequences to their treatment, they may be quick to claim they suffered from medical malpractice. Just because there was a negative consequence to treatment does not mean that medical malpractice a curd. What is the difference between an adverse outcome and medical malpractice?

Medical malpractice is a confusing subject area. Thankfully, you don’t need to know everything about it. A patient should be able to recognize if they have suffered from medical malpractice, so here is what you should know:

Does It Qualify as Malpractice?

An injury that came from a treatment like surgery does not mean that it was medical malpractice. For an injury to be a result of malpractice, the responsible party needs to have committed the act through negligence. If a negligent doctor failed to provide necessary care or provided the wrong treatment, and it resulted in considerable damages, it may have been medical malpractice. Common examples of malpractice include:

  • Prescription errors

  • Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose

  • Birth injuries

  • Surgical errors

  • Anesthesia errors

  • Early discharge

  • Ignoring critical patient information or failing to collect it

In the medical field, even a minor mistake can leave a victim with permanent injuries, and a victim should never be the one responsible for consequences they did not cause.

Trust Your Instincts

if you believe you were the victim of medical malpractice, trust your judgment and speak with a personal injury attorney. They can help you determine whether or not you suffered from medical malpractice, And if you have, they can help you then pursue the compensation you deserve to recover.