According to a study by Johns Hopkins, medical errors claim the lives of more than 250,000 people in the U.S every year.
When you visit the hospital for health care services, you expect to receive the best care. However, its unfortunate medical malpractice is common and the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
Healthcare negligence occurs when a health care provider deviates from accepted norms and standards, causing harm to patients. If you suffer an injury due to medical malpractice, you deserve to receive compensation.
To remain on track, here are five things you need to know about healthcare negligence.
1. What is Healthcare Negligence?
It’s obvious to assume that receiving less than optimal services or results constitutes healthcare negligence. However, there is more to it than that.
Medical malpractice arises if you suffer an injury due to negligence from a medical professional. The resulting injury could result from an error in diagnosis or treatment.
In short, health care negligence occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet accepted standards, and you end up injured.
2. What Counts As Medical Negligence?
Now that you understand medical malpractice, let’s look at real-world examples of medical malpractice cases. Normally, medical negligence cases fall in these areas;
• Pharmacy negligence and malpractice
• Nursing home neglect or abuse
• Injuries caused by medical devices
• Birth injuries to babies and mothers
• Preventable hospital infections
• Misdiagnoses
• Dangerous situations in a medical facility
It’s evident receiving less optimal services is only the beginning. These types of medical negligence form the ground for a medical malpractice case. Hire a medical malpractice lawyer to determine whether you have a plausible cause.
3. Obstacles to a Medical Malpractice Case
The biggest hurdle to a medical case is time. Constantly, patients wonder whether they are eligible for a claim for too long, only to discover it’s too late.
To be safe, consult a lawyer as soon as you suffer the injury.
Another obstacle you may face is gathering enough evidence to build your case. To receive compensation, you need to prove beyond reasonable doubt the healthcare provider breached standard care by being negligent.
4. How Can a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Help?
Medical malpractice lawyers help investigate a case to see if there is enough evidence to pursue the claim. Once the lawyer determines you have a solid case, they avail themselves to guide you through the legal process.
Again, lawyers have resources at their disposal to cover legal fees. For instance, top lawyers acquire expert witnesses to testify on your behalf, thus maximizing your chances of winning the case.
Medical malpractice lawyers also understand the ins and outs of the justice system and know how to prove malpractice cases.
5. What Do You Need to Prove a Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice cases are complex and require substantial evidence to build a solid case. By law, every medical malpractice case must meet the following requirements;
• Significant injuries enough to merit a lawsuit
• The injuries would not have occurred in the absence of negligence
• The healthcare professional failed to meet the standard of care
Experienced medical malpractice lawyers come in handy in meeting these requirements.
Everything You Need To Know About Healthcare Negligence
Healthcare negligence has become a serious threat to patients seeking medical care. Hence, it’s crucial to know facts about healthcare negligence to help pursue the compensation you deserve.
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