Working as a doctor or medical personnel is very fulfilling. It’s a calling for many health professionals. They do it to save lives and help their patients.

It’s also a big responsibility as people place their lives in the hands of their medical providers. It’s why they’re expected to perform their jobs with utmost competence. Failure to do so means the patient will suffer. The medical professional could also end up facing a malpractice suit.

What Does Malpractice Mean?

Malpractice happens when a professional breaks their clients’ trust. This betrayal causes their clients to feel angry and frustrated. It could even result in injuries.

Most people are familiar with medical malpractice. This happens when the misconduct or negligence of a healthcare professional causes injury. Hospitals are also liable for malpractice.

There are many forms of medical malpractice. A misdiagnosis is one example. Doing unnecessary surgery on a patient or ignoring lab results is malpractice. So is giving the wrong medicine and poor aftercare.

Doctors and medical experts are always expected to perform their jobs to a high standard. There’s no room for error because of the grave consequences. Many professionals are also expected to do their job at a high level. They have to perform at standards higher than the average employees. Professionals like engineers and lawyers also have a heightened duty of care. Failing to do their duty results in professional malpractice.

Steps to Take if There’s Medical Malpractice

You need a malpractice lawyer if you’re the victim of medical or legal malpractice. Your lawyer will help you file the appropriate case. Your claim must have specific characteristics though. There should be a clear violation of the standard of care. The negligence caused an injury or a negative legal result. This then caused significant damage.

Medical malpractice is a serious issue. A healthcare professional’s negligence has severe consequences. A patient’s condition can worsen. It can also be fatal. One study showed that medical errors are now among the leading cause of death in the US.

What should you do if you believe you’re a victim of medical malpractice? You should follow these steps.

• Change Doctors

You should always look out for number one. So if you believe your doctor made a mistake, look for another doctor. Continuing to place your health in the hands of your physician will put you at greater risk. You could experience more negligence. For example, they might delay your treatment. Or you might receive the wrong medication.

You should explain to your new physician why you’re getting a second opinion or treatment. Make sure you include your suspicions of malpractice. Your new doctor will document your condition in their charts. They’ll include any proof of medical malpractice.

• Get Your Medical Records

All medical records are important. It becomes even more crucial if you experience medical malpractice. These documents can prove misdiagnosis. They’ll show if you received the wrong treatment or other medical errors.

You can ask for copies of your medical records from your prior and current physician. Make sure you ask for all the documents you can think of. For example, get your medication history and the notes in your charts. You should keep these records in a safe place.

• Talk to a Malpractice Lawyer

Medical malpractice cases are challenging. The standards of care vary from state to state. It also differs from one hospital to the next. It’s best to leave this to a reliable malpractice lawyer. You should look for one with a good background and track record in medical malpractice cases.

A lawyer for malpractice knows the ins and outs of tort law. They can tell you the best way to move your case forward. These experts know the statute of limitations. They’ll ensure you can file a claim in time. They’ll also negotiate a sensible settlement for you if needed.

Before You Go

Medical malpractice will take a lot out of you. It’s better if you leave it to Warner and Warner. They’ll fight for your rights. You can concentrate on your healing journey. Our company is one of the best trial law firms in the Sunshine State. We provide people with the right representation. We’re experts in complex litigation. We specialize in medical malpractice cases and personal injury lawsuits. We also handle car accidents and defective product cases. We also take on nursing home neglect and wrongful death cases. Why don’t you give us a call at 321-450-7978? We can do a free case review. You can also reach us here.