When a healthcare provider’s negligence or misconduct hurts a patient, it is called medical malpractice. It can happen in clinics, hospitals and nursing homes, and patients have a right to seek compensation for their injuries to help them recover.
Medical malpractice explanation
To find a healthcare professional responsible for medical malpractice, several elements must be met. They must have had a duty of care to the patient and must have breached that duty, meaning that their actions fell below the standard of care expected of a caregiver in similar circumstances.
Their actions must have caused the patient’s injuries and the patient must have suffered harm, which can include a physical, emotional or financial impact.
Common injuries
There are several common injuries that are caused by medical malpractice. Physical injuries can include infections and other complications. Patients can also be hurt if they receive the wrong diagnosis, or it is delayed. They can suffer or even pass away if their condition is not managed timely.
Surgical errors can also cause the patient harm. If a surgical instrument is left inside the patient or if they operate on the wrong part of the patient’s body, the patient will likely need to go through another surgery to correct the problem.
Patients can also suffer from emotional distress, like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. They may be less willing to trust another healthcare professional after the error, which may cause them to neglect their health.
If a patient has been harmed by medical malpractice, there is help available to pursue compensation.