Providence Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical malpractice can have serious consequences for the victim. A person’s entire life may change from medical malpractice. You may require compensation to help get your life back on track or help your family. It’s important to answer certain questions when it comes to medical malpractice, so you know what to do if you’re a victim. It’s important to figure out when you should consult a medical malpractice lawyer, types of medical malpractice, and what actions you can take. Knowing the answer to these questions and a few others prepares you to create a solid medical malpractice case.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice happens when a doctor, nurse, hospital or any other type of medical professional causes harm or injury through omission or neglect. The act typically results from deviation from accepted normal practice within the medical community. The error committed by the medical professional is something that could’ve been prevented. Medical malpractice lawyers work within a subset of law that deals with professional negligence.

A Few Different Forms of Medical Malpractice

Failure to Diagnose or Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis happens sometimes, and Studies have found that it’s one of the main kinds of physician error. This usually occurs when a patient presents with complex conditions like infection, tumors, and blood. These types of symptoms could have multiple different causes, and that makes it more difficult to diagnose. Malpractice of this kind may cause life-threatening complications and death. The misdiagnosis might prevent the patient from receiving treatment that could save their life.

Errors During Surgery

A few types of error might occur during surgery. The surgeon might sloppily do his or her job and puncture an organ or leave surgical utensil in the patient’s body. In extreme cases, a surgeon could operate on the wrong body part(left leg instead of right leg). The rest of the medical staff could cause a problem if they’re negligent during post-op care. The negligence could create something like a bad infection.

 

Medical Errors

According to a Johns Hopkins University study, medical error is the third leading cause of death in America. Medical errors cover a few different types of malpractice. The doctor could prescribe the wrong dosage of the medication, fail to take into account harmful interactions with other drugs the patient takes, or administer medication improperly. An example happens when anesthesiologists administer too much medication during surgery. This could damage the brain or cause death in extreme cases. Another version of this happens when hospitals give the patient the wrong type of blood. This happens infrequently, but it’s a possibility.

When Should You Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer?

You should contact a medical malpractice lawyer right away. The moment you feel something off, or realize there’s a problem is the best time to find a lawyer. A skilled medical malpractice lawyer will walk you through everything you need to do to give you the best case. This might include what to say to doctors or hospital staff, documents to save, and things to look out for. The lawyer can advise you whether or not you have a good chance of winning your case. The sooner you find an attorney, and the sooner you start building your case. This gives you the best chance of putting together a winning case.

How Long Do You Have to File Charges Against Your Doctor?

Every state has different laws for statutes of limitations on filing a claim. In Rhode Island, the patient has three years to file a claim. Some exceptions apply to the three-year rule, but it’s best not to worry about that. The exceptions apply in rare cases, and you don’t want to count on that. A good medical malpractice lawyer will let you know if exceptions apply to your case.

What Actions Can You Take If You’ve Been a Victim of Medical Malpractice?

Make sure you keep all documents that involve your case. You might think the document has no meaning, but a lawyer might find something vital to your case. Go to another doctor to review your case. The fresh set of eyes might find things your doctor missed and help you determine whether or not you have a case. Contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible to go over what happened and get the ball rolling on your case.

A Final Word

Medical malpractice cases deal with the complex law. It’s important to find a good medical malpractice lawyer because they might mean the difference between winning and losing the case. You need someone that you trust and understands the law well. These type of cases deal with expensive experts and defendants with deep pockets. You need confidence in your lawyer’s abilities to handle both the material and the opposing legal team. Make sure you contact a medical malpractice lawyer immediately to improve the chances of winning your case.