What is Medical Malpractice?

We often place our trust in the hands of medical professionals whenever we’re sick or injured. Through their extensive training and schooling, we expect the best type of care to get us healthy again. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Doctors and nurses can mess up, and it can be bad with very serious consequences for the patient. So what is medical malpractice and how can you notice when it happens?

What is It?

Medical malpractice can be defined as a situation where a healthcare professional fails to perform or provide appropriate care or treatment, ignores or bypasses definitive action or treatment, or gives unsatisfactory treatment that results in injury or death of the patient.

Healthcare Professional Liability

Doctors and other healthcare professionals are not always liable for all the harm a patient undergoes. However, if the harm, injury or death was a direct result of the doctor or healthcare professional’s decision or lack of attention, it is considered medical malpractice. There are some certain, specific situations that qualify as malpractice.

Standard Care

There is a level of care that doctors and healthcare professionals must provide to all patients. This standard, baseline level of care must be met at all times, no matter what the condition of the patient is. Failing to meet these basic standards can result in a negligence type of medical malpractice.

Types of Malpractice

There are different types of malpractice, more than just negligence. Make sure you understand the different types so you can identify them if they ever happen to you or a loved one. If you do ever experience any of these malpractices, be sure to report it immediately.

Misdiagnosis

A misdiagnosis can be a major problem for a patient. If a patient begins receiving treatments for an illness or injury they don’t actually have, the wrong treatments can have very serious consequences.

Unnecessary or Incorrect Surgery

Having surgery in the wrong place or having a surgical procedure that you didn’t need in the first place can have long-lasting effects on your health. It may help to get additional, second opinions when you are suggested to have surgery.

Wrong Medication or Dosage

Similar to a misdiagnosis, if you are prescribed the wrong medication or the wrong amount, the effects from this can be very serious to a patient. Ingesting the wrong medication or wrong dose of medication can be a serious form of medical malpractice.

Infections

Hospitals and healthcare centers are expected to be clean and organized, but it isn’t always the case. If you visit or have a procedure at an unsanitary hospital, you risk the chance of getting an infection. If you are already healing from another illness or injury, infections become an additional condition to worry about that can get worse as well. Unclean and unsanitary healthcare facilities are another form of malpractice.

Death

This is clearly the most serious consequence of malpractice, but it does happen sometimes. Clearly the goal of healthcare professionals is to heal you and help you get better, but if their treatment or procedure results in a death then their job was not done correctly.

Malpractice Lawyers from GSJ Law

We hope none of these things ever happen to you or a loved one. However, if they do, our lawyers at Gioffre Schroeder & Jansky are experienced in medical malpractice situations and will fight for you every step of the way. No one deserves unsatisfactory care, and our healthcare professionals should be held to a higher standard to ensure the best care.

Visit our website or call (216) 306-5191 to schedule a consultation today.