Studies show that almost a quarter of a million people in the U.S. die each year as the result of medical errors, making this the third main cause of death in the country after heart disease and cancer. Medical malpractice is defined as any act or omission by a physician during treatment of a patient that deviates from accepted norms of practice in the medical community and causes an injury to the patient.
When a medical professional’s actions fall short of the standard reasonably expected of them, resulting in personal injury to their patient, the injured patient has the right to recover compensation, leaving them exposed to a medical malpractice claim.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice can occur in a variety of situations and some of the consequences for patients include the development of a separate condition or the worsening of an original, as well as unnecessary surgery and loss of enjoyment of life. Some common forms of medical malpractice include:
- Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose
- Birth injury
- Failing to recognize symptoms
- Surgical errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage
- Ignoring or misinterpreting lab results or patient’s chart history
- Poor follow-up or aftercare
If you have suffered harm as a result of a medical error you may be entitled to compensation. This article will outline some of the steps you should take when bringing a medical malpractice claim as well as the legal requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to be successful.
Check the Statute of Limitations
You must ensure you are within the time frame prescribed by law before bringing your medical malpractice claim. Each state has set deadlines for when you can file a claim, and this will determine your ability to be compensated for your injury. This is known as the statute of limitations and may differ from state to state. In most medical malpractice cases, a claim must be filed within two to six years from injury or discovery.
Seek Legal Advice
Seeking advice from a medical malpractice attorney is one of the best ways to know if you have grounds for a claim. Law firms that specialize in this area of law have extensive experience in dealing with a variety of medical malpractice cases and can assess the merits of your claim from a legal perspective, saving you the time and expense of pursuing a baseless claim.
Many law firms offer free case evaluations where you can explain your situation and receive free and impartial advice on whether to pursue a claim and in many cases you can also receive representation on a
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