Although everyone hopes for doctors and other medical professionals to always be careful, that sadly isn’t always the case. Sometimes, there may be a mistake made on the part of the healthcare professional. When that leads to serious injury, illness or even death, you may have a malpractice suit.
What Constitutes a Medical Malpractice Case?
It’s important to know what to look for when determining whether medical malpractice might have led to a person’s injury. Knowing about these can help the injured party start a medical malpractice lawsuit with an experienced attorney. The following are the most common signs of medical malpractice:
- Not ordering standard tests: The lack of standard tests, such as X-rays, EKGs, ultrasounds and other procedures, mean that there might not have been adequate care or treatment, especially for suspected illnesses, infections or fractures.
- Delayed diagnosis: Doctors taking too long to come to a diagnosis can have grave consequences. If a person with a particular illness is diagnosed too late or not at all, it’s a sure sign of medical malpractice. If the condition is something that, when detected and treated early on, can be cured or reversed, that’s also considered medical malpractice.
- Not getting additional tests: In many cases, follow-up tests may be necessary to check whether a person requires a further diagnosis to ensure what condition is affecting them.
- Condition worsens or stays the same: If a person’s condition worsens or remains the same even after treatment, it might be a sign of medical malpractice. Sometimes, the individual might have had surgery, and a doctor left an object inside the body or performed the wrong procedure.
- No follow-up: A doctor must examine conditions that require follow-up care. If a medical professional refuses that follow-up, it’s considered malpractice.
- The facility is understaffed: It’s possible that, if a medical facility is understaffed, medical negligence can ensue. If a person doesn’t get the proper medical attention or medication they need, it’s considered medical malpractice.
- Not considering patient input: If a doctor or other medical professional didn’t listen to the patient and end up with a misdiagnosis, it’s grounds for a malpractice suit.
- Different opinions from different doctors: Getting more than one opinion from different doctors can result in misdiagnosis as well. It could take yet another doctor to receive a proper diagnosis.
In a scary statistic, research conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine discovered that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States.
If you suspect you’ve been the victim of medical malpractice, call an experienced attorney right away. The Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice lawyers at Salpeter Gitkin, LLP can analyze the facts of your case and pursue legal action on your behalf. Contact us today at 954-467-8622 for a free case evaluation and discover what damages you may be able to recover compensation for.
