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When you arrive at the doctor to receive treatment for an illness or injury, you reasonably expect your condition to get better to at least some degree. However, sometimes a mistake or negligence on behalf of a medical professional is what causes undue harm to a patient under their care. Overall physical health and mental wellness can deteriorate, and may even lead to the death of a patient. When this happens, victims and their families must come forward to hold the medical professional responsible for their tragic error.
What if my doctor failed to diagnose me?
As an experienced lawyer would know all too well, such as a medical malpractice lawyer Lafayette, IN residents trust from Hall-Justice Law Firm LLC, one of the most common reasons that medical malpractice happens is when an illness goes undiagnosed. If a patient who went to the hospital with early signs of a certain disease had their concerns dismissed by their doctor, this can lead to a worsened condition or fatality. This is especially true in situations where a delayed diagnosis may have meant life or death for that person.
Is it possible my doctor didn’t diagnose me correctly?
Another prevalent reason why people file medical malpractice lawsuits is due to misdiagnosis. A doctor may have associated a patient’s symptoms with the wrong condition, which can then result in them receiving a treatment or medications that don’t benefit them. In some cases, such a mistake may cause that patient’s health to quickly take a turn for the worse, or cause them to develop another health issue entirely. Someone who was misdiagnosed initially, which led to health complications, may have grounds for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against the offending doctor.
Who is responsible for the wrong medication I was given?
Medical complications can also happen if the doctor or pharmacy made a mistake related to the prescription medication you were given. A doctor may prescribe the incorrect medication type and/or dosage amount. Additionally, a doctor may have failed to notice a drug interaction with the medications a patient is currently taking. People who notice something isn’t right with the medication they were given are encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and get help from a lawyer.
What can I do if my doctor didn’t inform me properly?
A lack of informed consent is the term used when doctors failed to explain to the patient the benefits and potential risks for the procedure involved. By not getting the information they needed at the time, the patient may have agreed to a procedure under false pretenses. A lack of informed consent can be considered reason enough to file a medical malpractice lawsuit, especially if the patient can prove that they were not properly informed about the risks. If the doctor had been fully forthcoming, perhaps the patient would have declined the treatment too.
It is important that those who receive medical attention stay alert to mistakes that a medical professional may commit. And if it does happen, a patient or their surviving family can take action to pursue compensation for the suffering that was caused by the doctor’s negligence.