People are imperfect, so mistakes can happen. They’re part of life, and you can accept that in most cases. However, there are situations where a mistake can lead to serious, even deadly, consequences. Medical malpractice can fall into this category. In more extreme examples, a health care professional may cause harm due to deliberate action. If you believe you were a victim of malpractice in a medical facility, your lawyer can help you determine who you can and should sue.
The Hospital
One of the first places you should look when deciding whether to file a lawsuit is where the incident took place. A hospital, clinic or doctor’s office could be to blame for your ailments. If you and your lawyer can prove that hospital administrators had insufficient safety measures in place or knowingly allowed unqualified personnel to administer care to you, your case could have merit. The facility may have unsanitary conditions, poor security or other concerns that led to your issue.
The Doctor
It is often the physician that bears the brunt of a medical malpractice accusation. This is the chief reason doctors carry hefty insurance. A mistake during surgery, giving the incorrect medication or failing to prescribe the right treatment can cause harm. When you seek care from a doctor, you expect this person to have the expertise and knowledge to properly diagnose and treat you. If the doctor makes a grievous error that results in an injury or impairment, you could file a lawsuit and seek damages.
The Nurse
Nurses provide much one-on-one care for patients. It is often these professionals who spend the most time with an individual. The nurse may check the person’s vital signs, set up IVs and administer medication. Similar to a doctor, if a nurse makes a mistake, you could hold him or her accountable for the consequences. The nurse may have misread or misheard the doctor’s instructions. Or, the nurse may have made a poor decision without first consulting the physician.
Other Possibilities
In a medical malpractice lawsuit, other parties could be liable for your injury or adverse reaction. You may be warranted to sue a pharmacist who incorrectly mixed a prescription or gave wrong dosage information. Perhaps the drug company or a medical equipment manufacturer is to blame for poor quality.
You may not immediately know what caused your treatment to go wrong. Hiring the right medical malpractice lawyer in Phoenix, AZ will help you determine the right course and which party is responsible for what happened.
Thanks to Rispoli Law, PLLC for their insight into medical malpractice and who’s at fault.