Top Reasons To File A Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
When a person seeks medical care, it is normal to expect health care professionals to provide a certain level of care. Most doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals take patient care extremely seriously and do whatever they can to ensure that a patient receives the proper treatment. However, errors can be made, and it is possible for negligence to come into play, which can lead to major issues. When this happens, working with a medical malpractice lawyer to file a lawsuit may be your best option. Some of the top reasons to file a medical malpractice lawsuit are:
Proper Consent is Not Given
While doctors can recommend a certain course of treatment or a specific surgery for a patient, they are not allowed to follow through with these things without approved consent. If a patient is not 18 or older, consent for treatment must be given by a parent or legal guardian. In adults, a person must be lucid and completely aware of all of the risks associated with treatment before consent can be given. If a doctor or other healthcare provider begins a course of treatment or does a surgery without proper consent, it is grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Experiencing an Abnormal Injury
This type of situation is typically reserved for surgeries. While all surgeries carry some risks, there are times where a patient may sustain abnormal injuries. One example is having a sponge or other surgical tool left in the body cavity, which can lead to a serious infection. Completely botched surgeries that are not done properly can also result in abnormal injuries.
Inadequate Treatment
All doctors and healthcare providers are required to follow a standard of care depending on what type of injury or illness a patient has. If a doctor makes the wrong diagnosis, ignores symptoms, prescribes the wrong medication, or uses a treatment plan that is not approved for a specific injury or illness, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Ignoring Safety Procedures
Hospitals and medical practices have safety protocols in place to protect patients. When these protocols are not followed, the patient can experience major problems. Some important safety measures include verifying the patient's identity, carefully reviewing a patient's medical record before administering any medication or doing any kind of treatment, and using medical equipment that is sterile. If you have experienced health problems because your medical providers did not follow safety protocols, contact a medical malpractice lawyer.
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