Because Your Future Matters

When can you sue a doctor for medical malpractice?

On Behalf of | May 25, 2022 | Uncategorized |

We all look up to healthcare providers when we are ill to administer the right treatment so we can get back on our feet and carry on with our lives. These professionals have a duty to provide their patients with care that meets the expected professional standards.

However, it is not uncommon for healthcare providers to make errors while caring for their patients. When these errors result in injury to the patient, medical professionals may be held liable through a medical malpractice lawsuit. Unfortunately, filing a successful medical malpractice lawsuit can be daunting, especially if you do not know how to present your case.

Here are two questions that can help you determine if you have a compelling medical malpractice case against your doctor.

Did the doctor give the wrong diagnosis for your condition?

Misdiagnosis, or false diagnosis, happens when the doctor fails to give the correct diagnosis for the disease the patient is suffering from. A misdiagnosis can be occasioned by faulty laboratory equipment, missed symptoms or incorrect testing. A misdiagnosis can result in further complications, waste of time and money treating the wrong disease or, in a worst-case scenario, death. If you suffered damages following this kind of medical error, then you can file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor in question.

Did the doctor withhold some information regarding your treatment?

The healthcare provider has a duty to let the patient know what they are suffering from and how it will be treated. Likewise, every patient has a right to get accurate information and ask questions about their condition and the procedure the doctor intends to treat it. This is known as informed consent. In some circumstances, the patient or their surrogate may be required to sign a consent form before treatment. If the doctor failed to make full disclosure of the condition you were suffering from or if they failed to get you to sign a consent form when it was necessary, then you may sue for damages should something go wrong.

Doctors owe their patients a duty of care. Find out how you can file a medical malpractice lawsuit if your doctor fails in this duty.