What You Should Know About Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when a patient is harmed as the result of a health care provider deviating from the standard of care.

Just because you have experienced an unpleasant or unexpected outcome, however, does not mean that malpractice has occurred. In order for the incident to be considered medical malpractice, there must be resulting harm, damages, or injury to the patient. A standard of care is not set in stone. Rather, it is defined as whatever actions a reasonable health care provider would have performed in the same or similar circumstances.

As you can see, these matters are somewhat open to interpretation. Whether or not a health care provider was actually negligent in a given situation can be disputed any number of ways. And you can be assured that if a case goes to trial, there will be expert witnesses that attest to there being no negligence whatsoever. This is why it is very important to the integrity of your claim that you contact a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible if you believe you have been the victim of medical malpractice.

Medical malpractice can be devastating for individuals and their families who have suffered as the result of medical negligence. Malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, following heart disease and cancer.

Over $3 billion was spent in medical malpractice payouts in 2012. This amounts to about one malpractice payout every 43 seconds.

This can be a terrifying reality for patients who must undergo medical procedures. Understanding the problem and what steps you can take in order to minimize your chances of being the victim of medical malpractice is something that everyone should be familiar with.

You should protect yourself by:

1. Researching your condition.
2. Discussing all treatment options with your doctor.
3. Have a written list of questions and concerns to discuss.
4. Fully understanding the risks and rewards of a procedure or treatment plan.
5. Document all of your injuries and symptoms.
6. If you are having surgery, make sure to meet and introduce yourself to all doctors, surgeons, and anesthesiologists prior to arriving in the OR.
7. Trust your body and your instincts – if you feel that something is wrong, speak up, and continue to do so.
8. Ask for support from your family. Get someone to go with you to appointments or procedures so that you have an additional advocate.

Every patient should be able to advocate for themselves and go into every situation feeling informed and armed with awareness.

Legal Help for Medical Malpractice Victims

If you have been the victim of medical malpractice and need legal advice, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Statutes of limitation vary from state to state, so you will want to discuss your case with an experienced attorney who has worked with the laws in your area. Finding an attorney as soon as possible is absolutely in your best interests. Health care providers and their insurance companies will oftentimes attempt to settle very quickly in order to resolve the matter at as little expense as possible. But an attorney will help you to understand the extent of your claim, your injuries, the current and future financial losses you may experience. Your attorney will immediately begin an investigation and determine what the best course of action will be.

If you have been the victim of medical malpractice in the State of Missouri, contact the Zevan and Davidson Law Firm. Our experienced team of legal experts can evaluate your case for free and help determine what the best course of action will be.

To schedule a free consultation, call the Zevan and Davidson Law Firm at (314) 588-7200.

photo credit: phalinn