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Medical malpractice happens when a health care professional causes harm to a patient because of an omission or negligent act. Medical malpractice or negligence involves errors in diagnosis, treatment, health management, medication dosage, or aftercare. A case can only be considered medical malpractice if there is negligence and harm or injury, and the harm or injury should result from the negligence.
Certain elements are required for a medical malpractice claim to be successful.
The law requires health care professionals to adhere to certain medical standards, which the profession recognizes as acceptable medical treatment. Patients have a right to expect health care consistent with these standards. Negligence can be established if the standard of care is not met.
Patients must prove that negligence caused harm or injury. A medical malpractice claim cannot be valid if a health care professional violated the standard of care, but no harm or injury occurred. An injury without negligence or that cannot be directly linked to the negligence that occurred is not considered medical malpractice. Dissatisfaction with a treatment outcome may not necessarily mean medical malpractice has been committed.
A medical malpractice case is viable if the patient shows that the injury or harm suffered led to considerable damages. Damages include significant medical bills, loss of income, disability, constant pain, and hardship.
Studies have found delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis to be the most common cause of medical malpractice. Medication errors are also a common form of medical malpractice. According to research, blood thinners account for about 7% of medication errors made during the treatment of hospitalized patients. Although they help prevent clots in arteries and veins, high doses put patients at an increased risk of bleeding.
Medical malpractice can occur if a health care professional fails to obtain informed consent before a procedure, and the procedure harms or injures a patient. Sexual misconduct by an attending physician can also be considered medical malpractice.
Other examples of negligence that could result in a medical malpractice lawsuit include:
Medical malpractice cases depend on complex legal and medical issues. Chicago medical malpractice lawyers help people determine whether they have legitimate cases of medical malpractice.
