How Do I Know If I Have a Medical Malpractice Suit?

There are many factors that determine whether or not you have a provable medical malpractice case. Just because you had a bad outcome, that doesn’t necessarily mean that negligence was to blame. Unfortunately, complications occur in medicine which could leave a patient in a worse state of health than before a medical procedure, but those issues may not constitute malpractice. Here are six common signs that you may have a medical malpractice case.

1. Death Due to Mistreatment

If you’ve lost a family member or loved one and suspect negligence, you may have a medical malpractice case. Death due to mistreatment or misdiagnosis can occur from a variety of tragic circumstances. Among them are performing the wrong surgery, giving a patient the wrong medication, or neglecting the patient’s needs. If you believe that your loved one’s death was caused by negligent behavior on the part of medical staff, you should contact a knowledgeable Alabama medical malpractice attorney immediately.

2. Surgical Errors

Surgical complications aren’t uncommon, but some are caused by the negligence of physicians and hospital staff. Some common errors include performing the wrong procedure, using unsterilized surgical tools, leaving items inside the patient’s body, and other surgical mistakes. Any surgical procedure is a big deal for patients and their families, and errors on the part of medical staff can worsen a medical condition, lead to infection, cause additional injuries, or even lead to death.

3. No Informed Consent

When you go to a physician or hospital for a procedure, you are supposed to sign a consent form stating that you understand the risks involved with the surgery. It is your medical provider’s responsibility to thoroughly explain both the procedure and all risks to you, as well as answer any questions before you sign the form. If you have the surgery without any of this happening, it is referred to as “lack of informed consent.” You may have a medical malpractice case if you can prove that you would not have gone forward with the procedure had you been fully briefed on its risks.

4. Patient Neglect

Many healthcare facilities today are suffering with staffing issues. This is not only a problem for the facility but also for its patients who rely on that staff for medical care and basic needs. When hospital and healthcare facility staff neglects patients, the results can be serious if not catastrophic. Patient neglect can lead to worsening of symptoms, additional medical issues, and even death.

5. Admitted Fault

It’s rare, but some patients may have a medical provider admit that they made a mistake. If this happens and you suffered harm, it’s time to speak with an attorney. Mistakes during surgery or any other type of medical treatment can have serious consequences. While it’s uncommon that medical providers admit mistakes, it does happen, and this doesn’t mean that you should forgo seeking legal remedies.

6. Delayed or Failure to Diagnose

One of the most common types of medical errors is a delayed or failure to diagnose a medical condition. Despite it being common, it is a difficult case to prove because the plaintiffs must show that a competent medical provider would have been able to make a correct diagnosis under the same conditions. It is certainly possible to prove this as it is also possible to establish how much harm an incorrect diagnosis can do to a patient.

Contact a Skilled and Compassionate Alabama Medical Malpractice Attorney

Accusing a physician of medical malpractice is very serious, and a doctor that is found guilty can not only be held liable for the patient’s expenses, but they could also potentially lose their license to practice medicine. Patients who are victims of malpractice can suffer life-altering losses and may even lose their life. If you or a loved one believe you have an Alabama medical malpractice claim, contact the experienced and compassionate medical malpractice attorneys at the Law Office of J. Allan Brown LLC at 251.473.6691 or online to discuss your case.