What Is a Medical Malpractice Claim?

A medical malpractice lawsuit is brought by the patient who complains about the carelessness of a healthcare professional. The patient, or his or his or her estate in the case of a deceased patient must establish that the negligence caused injury or harm.

Lawsuits alleging medical malpractice are typically filed in state trial courts. To win a lawsuit, the aggrieved party has to prove four elements of law:

Duty of care

In any legal case the plaintiff must show that another person or entity had a responsibility to them under a duty of care, and they did not fulfill that duty. In the case of medical malpractice, it is the duty of doctors to provide the right level of care to their patients. Expert testimony is often used to establish this.

Expert witnesses can help determine the appropriate medical standards and then prove that a physician did not follow the standards in their treatment of the patient. A medical malpractice lawyer for a plaintiff must prove that the error was directly responsible for the victim's injury.

Using expert testimony is essential since jurors typically do not have a good understanding of anatomy and watch many medical dramas. In the case of medical malpractice this is especially important because it can be difficult to establish the appropriate standard of care. In a medical malpractice lawsuit, the standard refers to the level of expertise and care quality, as well as level of care that other doctors with similar specialties possess in similar circumstances.

Experts in medical malpractice cases are typically surgeons or physicians who have similar training and accreditation. Due to the "conspiracy of silence" between a variety of doctors (a term lawyers employ to describe the tendency of doctors not to admit to a case against one another) It isn't easy to find an expert with the qualifications to provide evidence against a colleague in relation to the care that is not up to par.

Breach of duty

When a doctor commits an error that harms the patient, this is considered medical malpractice. These errors can cause new injuries or even worsen existing ones. Medical malpractice cases are a complex set of issues and laws, making them difficult to prove. However, a skilled medical malpractice lawyer will examine the facts of your case to determine whether a doctor breached his or her duty to the patient.

Your attorney will prove that the relationship was between a doctor and patient you and your physician, which is necessary for any malpractice claim. Your attorney will also analyze your doctor's actions and decisions to determine if they complied with what is known as the standard of care for doctors with similar education, background and geographical location within your state.

Physicians must follow the guidelines set forth by their patients without omission or deviation. A breach of duty means that the doctor did not meet your expectations and this failure resulted in injury to you.

Proving the breach of duty is usually simple with the help of your attorney's research and expert witnesses. These experts can testify that the doctor's actions did not meet the standard of medical care and provide reasons why a different medical professional would have acted differently in similar circumstances. Your lawyer must also connect 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 the breach of duty of your physician directly led to your injuries.

Causation

Medical errors can increase the risks of many treatments. To prove the causation, the patient must prove a direct connection between the alleged negligence of the doctor and the injury. In many instances this will require expert testimony and the assistance of a medical malpractice lawyer.

Medical errors include mistakes in diagnosis, for instance, misdiagnosing serious illnesses or conditions. If a doctor fails to recognize cancer or any other medical condition may have serious implications for patients. In this situation the patient could experience in pain that is not needed and could even die. The doctor may have committed malpractice by not diagnosing the issue properly.

Proving that your doctor or hospital was negligent in the treatment you received is a lengthy and difficult process. Evidence may come from a range of sources, such as medical records, test results, expert witness testimony and depositions. Your lawyer can assist you with obtaining and interpreting this evidence, as well being your advocate during the process of depositions.

It is crucial to remember that only healthcare professionals can be sued for malpractice. Nurses and doctors, as opposed to receptionists working in medical centers are expected to follow the current standards of care. A medical professional must be able of predicting outcomes based on their education and experience.

Damages

In medical malpractice lawsuits the courts consider monetary damages that are designed to compensate the injured person. These damages could include past and future medical bills as well as lost wages, the disfigurement caused by pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages are awarded in a few cases. They are only awarded to those who commit crimes that society wishes to discourage.

A medical malpractice lawsuit typically begins with filing a civil summons or complaint in the court. Then, the parties will engage in discovery, a process in which the plaintiff and defendants will make public statements under swearing. This can include requesting the exchange of documents like medical records, taking depositions from those involved in the lawsuit and conducting interviews with witnesses.

One of the primary elements to prove in a medical malpractice case is that the doctor had an obligation under law to provide medical treatment and care to the patient. The second aspect is that the doctor breached this duty by not adhering to the medical standard of practice. The third aspect is that the breach resulted in harm to the patient.

It is crucial to understand that the statutes of limitations (the legally-required time frame within which a lawsuit for medical malpractice has to be filed) differ from state to the state. In New York, the statute of limitations is two years and six months (30 months) from the date which the act that led to medical malpractice occurred.