What to Do if Your Doctor Makes a Mistake
March 15, 2016
We trust doctors to help us in some of our greatest times of need. From when our children get sick to when we need life-saving medical treatment for injuries or a serious illness, we rely on doctors’ skill and expertise – often blindly – to make sure that we can live normal, happy, healthy lives. Medical Malpractice in Sarasota
But, just like everyone else, doctors make mistakes. In fact, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports that, over the past 10 years, there have been over 500,000 instances of medical malpractice payments and adverse action reports. This number just reflects reported instances of malpractice. Many, many more medical errors go unreported.
About Medical Malpractice in Sarasota
If you are the victim of a doctor’s error, you may be able to obtain financial compensation by filing a claim for medical malpractice. So, what is medical malpractice?
Proving a Doctor’s Medical Malpractice
There are two key factors to establishing a claim for malpractice. These are:
- That the doctor failed to meet the appropriate standard of care; and
- That the doctor’s failure caused you harm.
The appropriate “standard of care” will depend on the circumstances surrounding your treatment and the complexity of your procedure. For example, the standard of care is generally lower in emergency rooms due to the nature of emergency medicine. On the other hand, surgeons and other specialists may have a heightened standard of care. In any case, if you believe you may have received substandard care, it is important to seek legal help for a thorough evaluation of your case.
Examples of Medical Malpractice in Sarasota
There are numerous types of medical errors that can give rise to a claim for medical malpractice. Some of the more common examples include:
- Anesthesia errors
- Failure to diagnose
- Misdiagnosis
- Medication errors
- Surgical errors
Steps to Take if You Believe You May be a Victim of Medical Malpractice
If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be a victim of medical malpractice in Sarasota, the most important thing to do is to seek prompt medical care. It can feel like a leap of faith to trust one doctor after another has caused you harm, but at Jodat Law Group we can recommend physicians who have a track record of safe, professional care. Additionally, letting your new doctor know that you are seeking treatment due to another doctor’s negligence can help ensure that you receive appropriate care.
Once you are able, you should speak with an attorney to find out if you have a claim for malpractice. Medical errors can lead to weeks, months, and in some cases a lifetime of expensive treatment and rehabilitation, so it is important that you seek the compensation to which you are entitled. You may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Sarasota – Jodat Law Group
You do not want to wait to pursue a claim for medical malpractice in Sarasota. The longer you wait, the more difficult it can become to collect important evidence, and if you wait too long you can lose your right to file a claim entirely. At Jodat Law Group, we take action quickly and fight aggressively to win our clients the compensation they deserve. For Medical Malpractice, we have established relationships with other law firms that will represent you in these matters.Contact us today for a free consultation.
