Hospitals are meant to be places of treatment and healing. But if you fall victim to a medical error that further complicates your condition, you should consult with an attorney. Here are a few warning signs you have a case for medical malpractice; if any of these apply to you, you may have cause to pursue legal recourse.
Overly Aggressive Treatment
Invasive surgeries should not be a doctor’s first line of treatment. If your doctor prescribes invasive and expensive treatments right off the bat, you’ll be stuck with hefty medical bills and a host of questions. If your treatments don’t match your condition and aren’t making your symptoms any better, your doctor may be at fault. You have the right to speak up if the treatment isn’t working for you.
Surgical Error
If you undergo a surgical procedure and wind up with an infection afterward, your surgeon may not have used properly sterilized instruments to operate on you. Infections, swollen stitches, and worsening symptoms are all signs that something went wrong in the operating room.
Understaffed Hospital
When doctors and nurses are stretched too thin across dozens of patients, mistakes are bound to happen. Their intent may not be malicious, but these doctors may still be committing malpractice by mixing up your charts or neglecting bedside care. You may be entitled to a medical malpractice settlement if that neglect caused further illness or injury. When you consult with your attorney, learn the legal and financial aspects of your case before you proceed.
Lack of Informed Consent
You should understand every treatment and procedure you undergo. Your doctor may neglect to inform you of potential side effects of your treatment—and then when you experience those side effects, you feel lost and confused. Before you start a new treatment or go under the knife, ask your doctor as many questions as you can. Even if they seem like silly questions, you want to have answers before you start treatment.
Admission of Fault
It’s rare for a medical professional to admit to neglect or malpractice, but it happens. If your doctor says they made a mistake, even if they apologize profusely, your attorney should know. When you take your malpractice case to court, that doctor’s admission will be essential evidence in your favor.
Medical malpractice is not to be taken lightly. When you go to the hospital, you have a right to be treated with the best possible care. The Hippocratic oath famously dictates that doctors should do no harm. If a doctor does harm to you while you are under their care, it’s a sure sign you have a case for medical malpractice. Advocate for yourself and your health!
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