Medical Malpractice

What is it?
Medical malpractice is misconduct, carelessness, or failure to use adequate levels of care by a medical professional that has caused injury, harm, or damage to another party. A medical professional can be a doctor, nurse, dentist, chiropractor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

What is the standard of care?
All medical professionals are held accountable in medical malpractice cases to the standard of care, which simply means that they must act manner that is consistent with that of a regular health care provider. The following is a consolidated list of the common claim that medical professionals may be sued for:
  • Improper surgery procedures
  • Wrong medical diagnosis
  • Insufficient explanation of medical procedure or side effects from procedure
  • Delay in treatment
Who can be held liable?
  • The medical professional
  • The hospital, if the medical professional works at a hospital and the error occurred while working for the hospital
  • If someone on the medical professionals staff was responsible, then the medical professional can still be sued
In all medical malpractice matters it is recommended that you seek professional legal assistance to protect your interests. A lawyer who has experience in this area of law can give legal advice that will assist you with the matter and will ensure that the judicial process is properly followed.