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You rely on your doctor and other medical professionals to uphold the highest patient safety and care standards. When a trusted medical professional deviates from the accepted medical standard of care, the results can be catastrophic. Unfortunately, patients who believe they’ve been the victim of medical malpractice may wonder whether they have a case against their doctor or healthcare provider. It can be hard for patients and their families to understand and identify the common forms and signs of physician malpractice.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Some people equate an unfortunate medical outcome with medical malpractice. However, medical malpractice happens when a doctor or other medical practitioner fails to meet the accepted medical standard of care. When this substandard level of care results in significant harm or damage to a patient, medical malpractice may have occurred.
The question an attorney asks when assessing whether medical malpractice occurred is, “Would a similarly trained medical professional provide the same standard of care under similar circumstances?” If the answer to that question is no, it may be time to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor, nurse, healthcare provider, or healthcare facility.
Common Forms of Physician Malpractice
Medical malpractice can come in several different forms. Understanding whether you have a viable medical malpractice case starts with identifying some of the most common forms of physician malpractice. In New York and New Jersey, some of the typical causes of medical malpractice include:
- Medical misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose
- Birth injuries
- Anesthesia errors
- Surgical errors
- Prescription errors
- Failure to obtain informed consent
- Failure to treat or diagnose post-surgical infections
Any one of these medical errors can lead to significant risks and consequences for patients that can be life-altering and even life-ending.
Potential Signs of Physician Malpractice
The best way to identify whether you are the victim of medical malpractice is to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney. Medical malpractice cases are complex and highly fact-specific. A seasoned medical malpractice lawyer has the legal experience to identify the hallmarks of a medical malpractice case and guide you through the process of seeking fair compensation for your medical expenses and other financial losses.
You should be aware of some potential signs that can help you recognize whether your medical provider may be providing substandard medical care to you or a loved one. Consider speaking with an attorney if you experience:
- Lack of communication from your provider
- Your treatment is not working
- You continue to have symptoms after treatment
- Your treatment doesn’t make sense with your diagnosis
- A second opinion drastically differs from your original diagnosis
- Your doctor failed to order lab or diagnostic tests
- An error occurred during surgery
- You received incorrect prescription medication
- Your provider failed to properly inform you of your condition, the nature of a procedure, or risks associated with a procedure
- You received inadequate follow-up care
Medical malpractice cases are complicated and may be difficult to identify. If you have questions about your condition or treatment, scheduling a case review with a skilled medical malpractice attorney is in your best interest.
Our Medical Malpractice Team Can Help You
At Nagel Rice, our medical malpractice lawyers are ready to help you get through this challenging time. We have worked with numerous patients and families like yours and have an extensive track record of achieving favorable verdicts and settlements for our clients. Let us help you pursue the compensation you deserve and hold careless healthcare professionals accountable for their actions.
Contact our office today and request a free initial consultation with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. We’ll discuss your case, explain your rights, and discuss your legal options for pursuing the compensation you deserve.