While people are generally aware what a medical malpractice claim is, there are some details about these cases that a number of individuals are not aware of. Malpractice can range from a delayed diagnosis to a surgical error, but the common denominator is that negligence on the part of a doctor led to injury to a patient. It is important to note that not all harm done as a result of a medical procedure is malpractice; there are some circumstances where damage is unavoidable even by the best of physicians.
Some of the most common reasons doctors fail to do their job properly include failing to look at the big picture and ignoring or misinterpreting out of the ordinary test results. In some cases, doctors will become complacent and overlook obvious signs of a problem. Additionally, physicians will sometimes treat a test rather than a patient, and it can lead to missed or incorrect diagnoses.
Individuals can take steps to help reduce their chances of ending up in these types of situations. One of the most important ways to avoid being harmed by a medical professional’s negligence is to not be intimidated by doctors or a hospital staff and to ask questions about their medical state, care and treatment. People may also find having friends and family to advocate for their proper care to be helpful.
If someone has been injured due to failures of a doctor, it may be a good idea to speak with a malpractice attorney. An attorney may be able to help victims of medical malpractice form a lawsuit.
Source: Forbes, “10 Things You Want To Know About Medical Malpractice“, Demetrius Cheecks, December 16, 2013
