Medical malpractice is a broad category of harms referring to circumstances when a medical error or negligent medical care provider has caused harm to the victim. Patients should be able to trust in the medical care and treatment they receive but one study reports that medical malpractice is the third leading causing of the death in the United States.
Medical malpractice refers to when a doctor, medical care professional or medical care facility, such as a hospital, provides care that falls below the standard of care. Victims can be harmed when a foreign object is left in them following surgery, when they are given an incorrect medication or incorrect dosage or when a baby is harmed during the birthing process because the medical care professional delayed a c-section for too long.
Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor performs a wrong-site surgery; when an illness or disease is incorrectly diagnosed or a delayed diagnosis results in a worsened condition; or when medical tests are not ordered or read properly. Medical malpractice, unfortunately, can occur in a whole host of situations and can even result in death. As a consequence, it is important for victims and their families to be familiar with what a medical malpractice claim for damages is and how it can help.
Victims of medical malpractice and their families may be able to obtain compensation for their physical, financial and emotional damages through a claim for damages. Medical malpractice claims are oftentimes complex but because of their importance, it is essential for victims and their families to be familiar with medical malpractice protections, resources, remedies and rights when they have suffered harm.