Most people tend to think of medical malpractice as something a doctor does to people. In reality, medical malpractice applies to all health care providers.
Medical malpractice may mean a less than stellar performance of their job, right up to failure to act in a timely manner. The truth of the matter is that there are literally hundreds of injuries that may happen during a medical procedure – some that result in serious injuries, and some that result in death.
If you’ve spent any time reading about the health care system, then you have a pretty good idea that it isn’t in the best shape financially. It is over burdened, overused and overwhelmed. All these factors have contributed to a medical malpractice epidemic over time. Think about it. Virtually every time you go for coffee at the local eatery, there is always one story or another about doctoring gone wrong.
Malpractice laws exist because the patients have the right to be protected from the negligence of health care providers. There also needs to be some way for injured parties to seek damages for things such as lost wages, mental anguish, loss of consortium and medical bills, etc. In the greater scheme of things medical malpractice lawsuits are deterrents to health care providers.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that every state has the same laws relating to medical malpractice, because that is not the case. They vary by state and it is best to speak to an expert medical malpractice attorney about what laws apply in your state and potential case.
As for what kinds of acts are considered to be negligent, this varies as well, however, some acts are things like not responding promptly to fetal distress, not providing the patient with enough information to make an informed consent to a procedure, not promptly treating an illness, and misdiagnosis of a condition. There are many others areas where medical malpractice may raise its head from misdiagnosing lab results to mistakes in medication.
Don’t wait too long to see an experienced medical malpractice attorney if you feel you have been a victim of medical malpractice, as each state also has a statute of limitations (in most instances between 2-3 years) and only a competent attorney will be able to advise you of what you need to do to claim damages and get justice.
Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.
