Whether it happens in the context of a surgeon performing surgery or a nurse administering medication, medical malpractice may occur whenever the negligence of healthcare providers results in injuries to patients. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries due to negligent medical care, you may wish to seek the advice of a Reading medical malpractice lawyer.
While some medical procedures and treatments have unfortunate results for reasons unrelated to the performance of medical providers, preventable medical errors that result in injuries to patients may justify civil compensation. Getting legal advice from a qualified personal injury attorney could be key to effectively pursuing the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Common Sources of Doctor Error
Medical malpractice suits may arise from a variety of situations, but they typically manifest as either failure to diagnose or misdiagnose, inappropriate medical treatment, or failure to warn of risks. A Reading physician error attorney may be able to analyze a particular situation and determine whether a medical malpractice claim is a viable option.
Misdiagnosis or Wrong Diagnosis
In some cases, a doctor fails to diagnose a medical condition or disease that requires specific treatment. As a result, that doctor may address their patient’s condition with an improper course of treatment, resulting in a worsening of that condition and injury to the patient.
Improper Medical Treatment
Another type of medical malpractice stems from inappropriate treatment or lack of treatment. If a medical provider’s treatment plan is unreasonable compared to what other professionals would recommend in the same situation, it may constitute malpractice. Similarly, failure to act or inappropriate actions to heal a patient could also qualify. Medical malpractice stemming from misdiagnosis can lead to delayed or improper treatment, potentially worsening the patient’s condition and forming grounds for a legal claim.
Failure to Inform of Risks
Patients must give informed consent to any medical procedures or treatments they undergo. As a result, medical providers must ensure that patients are aware of the risks and potential complications of a medical procedure or course of treatment before it occurs. If doctors fail to warn of these risks adequately, they may commit medical malpractice.
Evidence of Malpractice from Healthcare Providers
One of the essential pieces of evidence in a successful medical malpractice case is typically expert testimony by a medical provider. Experts can demonstrate the validity of a case by identifying how reasonable allegedly negligent treatment was in light of the knowledge, medical science, and options available to the doctors at the time of the incident in question.
Individuals bringing medical malpractice claims also must show that the actions or inactions of their healthcare provider directly caused their injuries, and that their injuries would not have occurred if the doctor or healthcare provider had acted appropriately given the circumstances. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Reading may be able to assist with gathering the evidence necessary to sustain a successful claim.
Call a Reading Medical Malpractice Attorney for Assistance
Although excellent medical care is available across the state of Pennsylvania, there are situations in which patients receive substandard care and suffer injury as a result. If poor treatment decisions and medical errors led to your injuries, you may have a valid cause of action for medical malpractice.
A Reading medical malpractice lawyer could investigate the circumstances that led to your injuries and determine whether a malpractice claim is a possibility in your case. State law imposes strict time limits on the filing of medical malpractice claims and other personal injury claims, so call today to ensure that you do not lose your right to bring a claim.