Outside of your family, there are few people you need to trust more than your doctor. After all, you are entrusting your doctor with the well-being and care of your body. Most doctors are consummate professionals who excel at their jobs. Unfortunately, however, some doctors fail to live up to the standards of their peers and professional certifications.
When a medical professional fails to provide required medical treatment, or they provide a treatment which they have not been trained or certified to perform, that is a case of medical malpractice. When medical malpractice occurs, the results can be devastating to the people being injured. But what constitutes medical malpractice, and how do you know if you have been hurt by it?
What is medical malpractice?
When providing treatment to a patient, there is a governing standard of care that all healthcare providers must adhere to. Malpractice occurs when a health care professional fails to meet that standard. A healthcare provider can commit medical malpractice, also known as medical negligence, by either performing an inappropriate action or failing to perform an appropriate action. Sometimes, this medical negligence can result in physical injury to the patient.
Some examples of medical malpractice may include:
- A doctor presents a misdiagnosis of a disease or medical condition
- A doctor fails to recognize a disease or condition
- Medical staff makes a patient wait for an inordinately long period of time for medical treatment
- The wrong procedure is performed on a patient
- A medical lab errantly switches samples which directly results in a misdiagnosis
- A doctor prescribes the wrong medication or the wrong dosage of a medication
- A pharmacist negligently dispenses the wrong medication
Who commits medical malpractice?
Though people usually associate medical malpractice with doctors, any professional in the medical field can commit malpractice, including but limited to:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Medical technicians
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Pharmacists
Statute of Limitations
Keep in mind that, under Florida law (Florida Statute 95.11(4)(b)), you have a specific time window of two years from the date the harm that the malpractice was discovered, or could reasonably have been discovered, within which you can file a civil lawsuit. Regardless of how strong or compelling your case is, if it’s not brought to a Florida court before the two-year “Statute of Limitations” is up, the law may take away your right to file it, leaving you with significant medical expenses and lost wages. This makes it important to file a medical malpractice claim as soon as possible.
Why use a medical malpractice attorney in Winter Haven?
If you or a loved one have been injured, and if you suspect that it was the fault of a healthcare professional, how do you go about proving the injury was the result of medical malpractice? The only way your concerns can be expertly reviewed, and a determination achieved, is by consulting with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. The field of medical malpractice is highly specialized. Because of the complexity of medicine, it is not always simple to prove a malpractice case. That is why it is important to contact an attorney with extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of medical malpractice. A medical malpractice attorney can explain to you whether you have a case, and what sort of settlement you are entitled to receive.
Are you looking for a accident or personal injury attorney in Winter Haven, Florida?
Have you or a loved one been the victim of medical malpractice in Winter Haven, Florida? If so, then turn to the expert medical malpractice attorney at O’Toole Law Group. We can help you establish a legal case of negligence by proving the at-fault party’s responsibility, failure to fulfill a required duty, and/or that his/her negligent behavior was what caused your injuries.
We understand that an injury caused by medical malpractice can be devastating and life-changing, and we will do whatever we can to help you receive the compensation you are owed. Call us today at 863-533-5525, or get in touch through our website for a free consultation.