You want the best care possible from the most experienced professionals when you are sick or injured. However, medical professionals are human and can make mistakes just like anyone else.
Medical care might fall short of standard expectations, medical providers might miss something, or an error can be made. Patients can be harmed when medical errors, improper decisions, or negligence occur in both diagnoses and procedures.
So what happens then?
When people make a mistake at work, it is usually harmless in the grand scheme of things. Medical professionals, however, have a heavier burden to bear regarding workplace errors. Injury, deterioration, and death are possible when it comes to medical errors and negligence.
Medical malpractice refers to negligence by a health care provider that leads to substandard treatment or care and can result in bodily harm, injury, illness, and even death.
Not sure if you need a medical malpractice attorney? There are several reasons why one may seek out a medical malpractice attorney.
Treatment or Surgery Error
Sometimes, complications can occur during surgery, or a procedure may not be successful. Before the procedure begins, you’re given a list of the potential risks and complications that can occur. However, the unknown can happen, and things can still go wrong and are hard to plan for.
Not only do surgeons have a responsibility to inform patients of these potential risks, but they also have an obligation to perform the surgery in a clean, safe environment and according to high medical standards. If your surgery wasn’t performed according to these safety and medical regulations, you have every right to know why.
Contacting a medical malpractice attorney could help get answers to any questions you have about the medical malpractice and negligence that occurred during the surgery and the potential consequences you may be facing as a patient.
Some common surgery issues that result in medical malpractice cases include:
- Surgery on the wrong part of the body
- Medical equipment being left in the body
- Surgery in an unclean, unsafe environment that could lead to infection
Confidentiality Violation
Medical malpractice doesn’t just focus on the physical harm to a patient or the negligence and errors that may occur. You have the right to privacy of personal information, including your medical history. Medical confidentiality is part of the healthcare agreement between a patient and a medical professional.
If your privacy is violated by a medical professional, you have every right to sue them for medical malpractice. This includes the improper or unauthorized release of medical records (to anyone).
Your Condition Gets Worse
If your medical condition worsens after medical treatment or a procedure, you may have received poor medical treatment and experienced medical negligence.
Improper medical treatment does more harm than not receiving any treatment at all. This includes everything from surgical treatment to medication and more. If you receive incorrect treatment or medication, you may find yourself in more medical danger and a worsening medical condition.
When a medical professional’s mistake results in severe health complications or a worsening condition for you or a loved one, you should contact a medical malpractice attorney.
Contradicting Second Opinion
If you’re facing a medical issue or worsening condition following treatment, you might contact another medical professional for a second opinion. A second opinion can help reduce misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments or procedures.
However, if you receive a second opinion contrary to the diagnosis or treatment suggested or given by your first medical professional or primary care physician, you may be eligible for compensation. Differing opinions might mean you received improper or inadequate care initially. It may indicate a misdiagnosis from your initial doctor meaning your doctor may not have been doing their job properly from the get-go.
Questions Unanswered
You may have many questions about your diagnosis, medication, or upcoming surgery. Being concerned and having anxiety about medical issues is completely normal. Part of your medical provider’s job is to answer any questions you may have and provide some relief to that anxiety with the reassurance that everything will be fine.
Open communication and patient-provider interaction are to be expected. If you’re asking questions about your medical care but get no answers, this might be a red flag and may warrant a consultation with a medical malpractice attorney.
Turn to Attorney Steve Newman for Your Medical Malpractice Case
Licensed to practice law in state and federal courts in both New York and New Jersey, Attorney Steve Newman has represented clients in all 50 states for over three decades and is prepared to represent you in winning your case.
Practicing law in medical malpractice, personal injury, construction litigation, and more, Steve Newman utilizes an extensive network of board-certified physicians to analyze whether medical malpractice occurred.
Contact the Law Offices of Steve Newman today for an attorney committed to you and your claim.
