When you go you go to your Florida doctor, you assume that you will receive quality care and the right diagnosis of whatever medical problem you are having. Like most other people, you probably place a significant amount of trust in the medical professionals who are taking care of you, but sometimes, they may violate that trust. Mistakes happen in the medical field for many reasons, but there are times when it is because of negligence or recklessness.
In the event that a doctor fails you in some way, it is possible this is medical malpractice. You may feel sick, confused and overwhelmed by your situation, and you may be completely unsure of how you should move forward from this point. You may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim, but it can help to understand the basics of this type of litigation and what to expect from the process.
What is malpractice?
In most cases, medical malpractice involves a mistake committed by a medical professional. This can happen in many areas of patient care and interactions with doctors, nurses and others, including:
- Misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis or failure to diagnose entirely
- Prescribing the wrong dosage of mediation or type of medication
- Health management, before and after a procedure
- Improper treatment or mistake made during treatment
- Issue with aftercare or development of an infection
Medicine is not foolproof, and sometimes the outcome of treatment or a procedure is not as expected. While this is frustrating, it is not necessarily grounds for a civil claim against the care provider. In order to have a valid claim, you must be able to prove the following:
- Evidence that your doctor or other type of care provider failed to provide care that met an acceptable standard
- Proof that you suffered an injury as a result of the negligence of your care provider
- Evidence of damages you suffered as a result of the negligent care you received
If you suffered because of medical malpractice, you have options. You do not have to suffer in silence, but you can reach out for appropriate legal guidance as you seek a beneficial outcome. An attorney can evaluate your case, determine if you have a valid claim and help you pursue justice for medical malpractice. Through your civil claim, you may be able to seek damages for your suffering and financial losses.