It may seem like an honest mistake, forgetting to order an x-ray or failing to prescribe the right dosage for a prescription. But when that mistake leads to a worsened condition or worse, the death of a patient, that honest mistake can turn into devastation for an individual and their family. It can leave them asking a lot of questions, most important of which is “can we hold the doctor accountable for their mistake?”
If you’re a frequent reader of ours, then you already know the answer to this question. But for those who are new to our blog, the answer is yes only if you’re will to take the next step and file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
A lot of people are perplexed to hear that medical mistakes caused by doctors are so common here in the United States, especially because we hold hospitals and their staff to such high standards. Doctors also go to school for an incredibly long time, which makes a mistake that much more difficult to believe has occurred.
But doctors are only human after all and to err is human, as the old saying goes. But those mistakes should never be brushed off as a simple error that can be remedied with an apology. Patients and their families can hold a doctor accountable for the errors they make through the use of civil litigation. And depending on how the courts rule on the case, a medical malpractice lawsuit can lead to compensatory damages that cover medical expenses and lost wages, as well as punitive damages like pain and suffering.
It’s important for you to know that building a medical malpractice case on your own can be challenging. Even the smallest mistake, such as missing information or the wrong citation of the law, can jeopardize your claim and your right to compensation. Seeking a lawyer’s help instead is considered a safer bet because of their knowledge of the law and how to build a case that will get you the compensation you deserve.