What Is a Medical Malpractice Claim?

A medical malpractice case involves the patient complaining of the negligence of a healthcare professional. The patient, or or his estate in the event of a deceased patient, must prove that the negligence caused injury or harm.

In general, lawsuits alleging medical negligence are filed in the state trial court. The patient who is aggrieved must demonstrate four legal elements in order to win the case:

Duty of care

In any legal action, the plaintiff needs to demonstrate that an individual or entity had a responsibility to them under a duty of care and failed to meet that obligation. In medical malpractice cases this is the duty of medical professionals to provide the highest standard of care for their patients. This is usually determined through expert testimony.

Expert witnesses help determine the correct medical standards, and then show how a doctor was not following these standards in their treatment of the patient. A medical malpractice lawyer for a plaintiff must then prove that this deviation was directly at fault for the injury suffered by the victim.

Expert testimony is crucial because jurors generally have only a basic understanding of anatomy, and they watch numerous medical dramas. This is particularly important when it comes to medical malpractice claims, as it can be difficult to establish a minimum standard of care. In the context of a medical malpractice case the standard of care refers to the level of expertise, quality of treatment and the degree of diligence shown by other doctors in comparable specialties in similar situations.

Generally, experts in medical malpractice claims are fellow physicians or surgeons who have the same training and board certifications. It isn't easy to find an expert who is willing to testify about substandard medical treatment due to the "conspiracy" of silence among doctors.

Breach of duty

If a doctor commits an error that hurts the patient, it is medical malpractice. These mistakes can lead to new injuries or even worsen existing ones. Medical malpractice claims are challenging to prove because they involve complicated laws and concerns. However, a good medical malpractice lawyer will review the circumstances of your case and determine whether a doctor breached his or her duty to the patient.

Your attorney will establish a doctor-patient relationship between you and your physician that is required for medical malpractice lawyer any malpractice claim. Your attorney will also analyze your physician's actions and decisions to determine if they met what is referred to as the standard of care for doctors with similar training, background and geographical location in your state.

Physicians are required by their patients to adhere to these guidelines without deviation or omission. A breach of duty means that the doctor failed to meet your expectations and resulted in injury.

It is easy to prove that there was a breach of duty with the help of experts and your attorney's investigation. Experts can prove that the doctor's actions did not meet the standard of medical care and also explain why another medical professional would have behaved differently in similar circumstances. Your lawyer must also be able to link the breach of duty to your injuries and damages. Your lawyer will review your medical records and test results, prescriptions and imaging scans in order to construct an argument that proves your physician's breach of duty directly resulted in your injuries.

Causation

The majority of treatments carry a degree of risk, however medical errors can increase the risks. To prove causation, the patient has to show an immediate connection between the alleged negligence of the doctor and their injuries. In many instances, this requires expert testimony and the help of a medical malpractice lawyer.

Medical errors include, for example, misdiagnosing serious ailments or illnesses. If a doctor fails to diagnose cancer or another illness it could result in severe consequences for the patient. In this situation, the patient may experience unnecessary suffering and even death. The doctor may have committed a mistake by not diagnosing the problem properly.

Proving that your doctor or hospital was negligent in their treatment of you is a lengthy and difficult process. Evidence could come from range of sources, such as medical records and test results, as well as expert witness testimony and depositions. Your attorney can assist you obtain and interpret the evidence, and also represent you during the deposition process.

It is vital to understand that only healthcare professionals can be sued for negligence. Unlike receptionists at medical centers, doctors and nurses are expected to behave in accordance with prevailing standards of care. This means that medical professionals must be able to anticipate the consequences based on their skills and knowledge.

Damages

In medical malpractice lawsuits courts will hear about financial damages that are intended to compensate the victim. These damages may include future and past medical bills, lost wages, the disfigurement caused by pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. In some instances punitive damages can also be awarded. These are reserved for particularly egregious conduct that society is interested in preventing.

A medical malpractice lawsuit typically begins with filing an civil summons and complaint in court. The parties will then engage in discovery. This is in which the defendant and plaintiff take oaths to make statements. This could involve seeking medical records or other documents, Medical Malpractice lawyer taking depositions of parties involved in a lawsuit as well as interviewing witnesses.

One of the primary elements to prove in a medical malpractice case is that the doctor owed an obligation under law to provide medical treatment and care to the patient. The second element is that the doctor violated that obligation by failing to follow the medical standard of care. The third factor is that the breach resulted in injury to the patient.

It is important to know that the statutes of limitations (the legally-defined time period within which an action for medical malpractice has to be filed) vary from state to states. In New York, the statute of limitations is two years and six months (30 months) from the date which the underlying act of medical malpractice took place.