In the United States, over $3 billion is paid out annually for medical malpractice claims. While financial compensation may not undo all the harm you or your loved one suffers due to a medical error, it can prevent you from bearing the cost of additional treatments, lost wages, and other losses alone.
Recognizing the signs of medical malpractice is often the first step toward obtaining this compensation.
Common Signs of Medical Negligence
No one wants to entertain the thought that their doctor or surgeon committed malpractice when treating them. Yet if you have been hurt by malpractice, you must take action quickly to seek compensation and hold your negligent healthcare provider accountable.
Look for a skilled medical malpractice attorney right away if you notice any of the following signs of medical malpractice:
Unusual or Worsening Symptoms After Treatment
One clear situation that should concern you and lead to a discussion with a medical malpractice lawyer is if you feel worse after being treated by your doctor. Your healthcare team should explain to you what symptoms you can expect in the days and weeks after a surgery or course of treatment.
Pay attention to what you experience following a doctor’s visit, procedure, or hospital stay. If your experience does not match the predictions made by your medical team, you should consider speaking with both your medical team and a medical malpractice lawyer.
Lack of Informed Consent for Procedures
As a patient, you have the right to have your medical team clearly explain any procedure or treatment to you. You deserve to have your questions answered and have your medical provider respect your decision if you do not want to undergo the procedure.
A doctor or surgeon pushing you to consent to a procedure without explaining it or addressing your concerns may be committing medical malpractice. This is especially true if the procedure or treatment harms you somehow.
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnoses can result from your doctor jumping to conclusions without conducting an appropriate amount of tests or consulting with other specialists.
Whatever the cause, your health is jeopardized when your condition is not diagnosed correctly. You could be subjected to treatments that do not help your condition, as well as suffer delays in receiving the treatment you need.
Delays in Diagnosis
Perhaps your medical provider does not mistake your symptoms for the wrong condition. Instead, they are convinced that your symptoms indicate somatic symptom disorder and are all “in your head.”
When you do not receive timely treatment for conditions like cancer or heart issues, your chances of surviving the disease or recovering fully from your condition are negatively affected.
Medication Errors
Note if you start on a new medication and begin to experience negative effects. Doctors and pharmacists alike can carelessly prescribe and dispense medications that are inappropriate for your condition, or that negatively interact with other medicines you already take.
If you do not experience the anticipated benefit of a medication, it could be that the pharmacist dispensed the incorrect drug to you.
Surgical Errors
Common surgical mistakes include operating on the incorrect body part or organ and removing the wrong limb. Other mistakes that result from surgeons and staff not paying enough attention in the operating room include leaving medical instruments or foreign objects inside a surgical site.
Surgical errors can be painful and lead to infections. They also routinely require additional corrective surgeries and treatments to undo the damage caused by the initial malpractice.
Poor Communication With Patients or Other Providers
Protecting and enhancing your health is a team effort, and this effort can only succeed if each member of your healthcare team communicates with you and with one another. Doctors jeopardize the health of their patients and provide you with deficient care when they do not return calls from other members of your treatment team.
Your medical team members must also communicate instructions and warnings to you clearly so that you can take appropriate action.
Discrepancies in Medical Records
Even if your doctor provides you with competent care, you can still suffer injuries if the doctor or their staff do not adequately document your course of treatment. Future providers may be left confused about what care you have already received, leading to erroneous and harmful treatment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice
How Do I Know if I Have Been the Victim of Malpractice?
It is difficult to know for certain if your doctor committed malpractice without having your case evaluated by an experienced medical malpractice lawyer. Your lawyer may need to consult with medical experts before being able to say you have a viable malpractice case definitively.
How Long Should I Wait Before Speaking With a Lawyer?
Do not wait too long before reaching out for legal help. If you notice any of these signs of medical malpractice, your ability to receive compensation can depend on timely filing a claim. In Florida, this claim must be presented within two years of the negligent act.
What Else Should I Do if I Think My Doctor Made a Mistake?
Discuss your next steps with your medical malpractice lawyer. You will likely need to visit a new healthcare provider to receive a second opinion and to get additional care to address the harm you sustained.
Experienced Medical Malpractice Help Is Available
If you believe you were the victim of medical negligence in Florida, it is essential to consult a seasoned medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.
The skilled medical malpractice team at Ratzan Weissman & Boldt is ready to evaluate your medical malpractice case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us to schedule your consultation today.