When the trust a patient places in their doctor or other medical care provider has been violated, the victim may be left feeling vulnerable and wondering what to do. Fortunately, medical malpractice legal resources are available to help those harmed by medical malpractice with their damages as they move forward with the recovery process.
A failure to diagnose, delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis or erroneous care or treatment may result in the true condition the victim suffers from not be treated or not being treated promptly. In addition to the medical condition not being treated, treatment the victim potentially receives for a medical condition they are not suffering from may also cause them harm. When a failure to diagnose has resulted in disease progression beyond what would have been expected had the medical condition been properly diagnosed and treated, the victim may have a claim for damages against the negligent medical care provider.
A medical care provider may be considered negligent, and liable to the victim for their damages, if the medical care and treatment they provided fell below the standard care of what a reasonably competent medical care provider in similar circumstances would have done. As a result, it is important for medical care providers to carefully consider the patient’s medical care history, symptoms and to order the proper tests and ensure they are correctly interpreted.
Depending on the types of damages the victim has suffered, they may be able to recover compensation for their physical, financial and emotional damages as a result of the medical malpractice they have suffered. In any event, it is essential for victims of medical malpractice to be familiar with the legal protections available to them when harmed.