Four Elements of a Medical Malpractice Case

Malpractice lawsuits are a serious and real threat to physicians. They drive up physician insurance costs and can alter the practice of medicine.

In general doctors owe their patients the obligation to follow the medical standards that are accepted without deviation or Redmond Medical Malpractice Lawyer infraction. This is referred to as the "standard of care.

To successfully claim a doctor's malpractice, the patient must show each of these legal elements by the preponderance of evidence: duty; breach of obligation; causation; damages.

Duty of Care

The first element in a medical malpractice case is that the victim was owed a duty of a doctor that was breached. Contrary to other types of negligence cases medical malpractice claims typically involve the existence of a relationship between doctor and patient. This can be established by means like doctor's records or telephone consultations. In general, doctors who treat patients must adhere to the standards that are accepted in their profession and practice.

Doctors could be held accountable for the negligence or incompetence of their staff, like assistants or interns. In addition, they may be held accountable for the actions of emergency medical personnel who are under their supervision.

The next thing the plaintiff must prove is that the defendant failed to meet the standard of care in the specific circumstances. This element can be proven by expert testimony regarding acceptable medical practices and the defendant's inability to comply with these standards. The second aspect is that the breach directly affected the patient. To prove malpractice, your lawyer will need to show that the defendant's breach of duty directly caused your injury or the death of your loved one. This is known as proximate reason. For instance, if an negligent treatment that was alleged to have occurred wouldn't have had an adverse effect on your health, regardless whether it was performed or not, you won't be able to win damages for any injuries or wrongful deaths that were believed to have been caused by the physician's conduct.

Breach of Duty

A physician who fails to meet their obligation of care to a client can be held liable for negligence. To prevail in a medical malpractice suit the plaintiff must prove four elements: that there was a duty to care and the physician violated the obligation and that the breach caused injury, and finally resulted in damages. The standard of care is the most important component in a medical negligence case, and it's determined by an expert's testimony. The standard of care is the amount an "reasonably cautious" doctor would do in similar or identical circumstances.

The physician's violation of this obligation is when he or she is not following the standard of care while rendering treatment to the patient. If a physician fractures the arm of a patient, the doctor may fail to cast the arm correctly. The doctor's infraction of this duty causes the injured arm to heal improperly, which results in partial or full loss of use, and further financial damages.

In the majority of instances, medical malpractice claims are filed with state trial courts. However in certain circumstances federal courts may also consider these claims. The 94 federal district courts across the United States each have a jury panel and judge that hears these cases. Most states have a specialized system of state courts that handle these matters. However, they are subject to different rules of court procedures than federal district courts.

Causation

Physicians swear to do no harm, and should they violate that duty and cause injury patients may be entitled to compensation for any damages. Medical malpractice claims could also arise if the doctor performs a treatment with known risks, and the patient wouldn't have consented to the procedure if they had been fully informed.

The plaintiff in a case of medical malpractice must prove that the medical professional did not follow accepted standards of practice, that this negligence was the direct cause of the injury or illness that the patient was suffering from, and that the injury would not have occurred but due to the negligence of the doctor. This burden of proof is also known as the "preponderance of the evidence" standard that is less stringent than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard used to convict criminal defendants.

Redmond Medical Malpractice lawyer malpractice lawsuits typically include expert witnesses and lengthy pre-trial discovery hearings. If the case is settled or goes to trial, lawyers on both sides have to spend substantial time and resources in preparation for the trial. This is one reason why malpractice claims can be so expensive for both the plaintiff and the doctor involved. It is one of the main reasons that physicians and health care organizations support efforts to change tort law in the United States.

Damages

In the event of bowling green medical malpractice lawsuit negligence, victims are able to seek punitive and compensatory damages. Compensation damages are awarded to patients for financial losses and costs resulted from the negligence of the doctor, such as loss of income or expense of future medical treatment. Non-economic damages can include reimbursement for physical and mental anxiety.

Medical malpractice lawsuits are typically filed in a state court of trial. However, there are instances where a lawsuit can be filed in federal court. This is typically the case where a doctor works at a federally funded facility like the Veteran's Administration, or if the doctor is from another country and is practicing in the United States under a treaty of extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Medical malpractice lawsuits are adversarial and require extensive legal discovery. This can include written interrogatories and depositions as well as requests for documents. The victims of alleged medical negligence could also have to go through a jury trial and may be in danger of their claim being rejected by a court or dismissed by a jury.

To win a medical malpractice claim, you must show that the error or negligence of a medical professional caused your injury. The damage must be severe enough to warrant a financial award that covers your financial losses and emotional distress. Additionally, New York medical malpractice laws have damages caps and other limitations on the amount that can be awarded to a patient who successfully makes a claim.