Medical negligence, when it occurs, can be devastating to you as a patient. In the event a doctor makes a mistake and injures you, you could be entitled to significant financial compensation.
Healthcare professionals have a high standard of care to help patients and prevent causing unnecessary harm. When a doctor, dentist, or physician fails to meet this standard, the state allows the injured patient to file a civil claim for legal recourse with the guidance of an experienced local attorney. With the help of an experienced Southampton medical malpractice lawyer at your side, you could feel confident pursuing the compensation you deserve.
When is a Physician Considered Negligent?
According to Pennsylvania law, medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional breaches the applicable standard of care. This is considered medical negligence, or medical malpractice. This breach of the appropriate standard of care is the basis for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
The standard of care a healthcare provider must provide is based on a set of generally accepted medical practices used in the specific field of medicine at issue. To determine the standard of care applicable in the specific situation at hand, courts will look to the type of medical treatment, the geographical area of the treatment, specific facts relating to the patient, and much more. In many cases, a seasoned attorney representing someone in a medical negligence case could bring in an expert witness from the area to testify that the defendant did not meet the required standard of care.
Common Examples of Healthcare Malpractice
Medical negligence can occur any time a medical professional violates the applicable standard of care. However, there are certain instances of malpractice that are more common, including:
- Failure to diagnose a patient or a misdiagnosis
- Mistakes made in use of anesthesia
- Negligent conduct during surgery, post-surgery, or other medical procedure
- Neglect or abuse of patients
- Lack of informed consent
- Incorrect prescribing
Whenever a person believes they may have been the subject of malpractice by a healthcare professional, it is essential they protect their rights by contacting a skilled attorney in Southampton.
Compensation in Medical Negligence Lawsuits
The ultimate goal of a doctor malpractice lawsuit is to provide the injured patient with the reparation they need to make them whole. Resulting injuries following medical negligence can destroy a person’s finances, cause great physical suffering, and have a negative impact on a person’s overall quality of life. Each of these consequences may be compensable through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Possible compensation following a medical negligence lawsuit may include:
- Past and future medical payments
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost income and loss of earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
- Pain and suffering
The costs associated with injuries resulting from a negligent medical provider can take a major toll on a patient and their family. A knowledgeable medical negligence attorney in the area could help prove a malpractice case in court, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue the compensation an injured patient deserves.
Get in Touch with a Southampton Medical Malpractice Attorney
A consultation with a skilled attorney could help you understand your rights following misconduct by a healthcare provider. An accomplished legal professional could analyze your situation to determine how to best move forward given the facts of your case.
If you believe you were injured by the negligence of a healthcare professional, an experienced Southampton medical malpractice lawyer may be able to help you. Contact us today.
