Signs You Could Have a Medical Malpractice Case
Medical professionals perform some of the most valuable work in our society. When they perform their duties with care, knowledge, and precision, doctors and nurses save people’s lives and help them recover from illnesses. However, when they do not live up to these professional standards, medical professionals and facilities can sometimes exacerbate a health condition or introduce a new problem entirely. In such circumstances, a patient who has come to harm may have the right to bring a medical malpractice case against the at-fault individual or institution.
Here are seven signs that you may have a medical malpractice case.
You Did Not Give Informed Consent
Before you undergo any medical procedure, a physician must explain the benefits and risks. If they fail to do so, or if they perform a procedure you did not agree to, you may be able to pursue a medical malpractice case. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as in emergencies. A qualified Virginia medical malpractice attorney can help you understand whether an exception may apply in your case.
Serious Complications Have Resulted from Your Treatment
When you provide your informed consent to receive a treatment, you will have a reasonable expectation that certain side effects may occur. However, if you suffer from unexpected complications or the symptoms are particularly severe, it could be a sign of medical malpractice.
Your Treatment Seems Disproportionate to Your Symptoms
Sometimes, doctors recommend treatments that are more invasive or extreme than a patient’s symptoms appear to warrant. If this happens, and you suffer harm as a result, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim.
Your Doctor Fails to Respond to Your Concerns
When you enter a patient-doctor relationship, you have a right to expect your physician to remain communicative about your treatment. If your doctor does not follow up with you about your concerns about changes to your symptoms, complications, or pain levels, they may be liable for malpractice.
Your Treatment Is Not Working
No patient can expect every treatment plan to work perfectly. However, if the medication or procedure has had no effect or only caused you harm, it may be a sign that the doctor has misdiagnosed your condition.
Your Medical Facility Is Understaffed
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities have a challenging time maintaining the necessary standard of care if they do not have sufficient staff levels. Understaffing can lead to unnecessarily long waiting times, mismanaged patient data, and hasty decision-making.
A Second Opinion Was Different from Your Original Diagnosis
Some patients have intuitive doubts about an original diagnosis (or lack of diagnosis), leading them to seek a second opinion. If a second doctor gives you a diagnosis that is at odds with the first, you might have a medical malpractice case against your original physician. Your case may be even stronger if a third opinion lines up with the second.
Contact a Virginia Medical Malpractice Attorney Today
The presence of one or more of these signs does not guarantee that you have a viable medical malpractice case. The viability of a case depends on the facts that are specific to each situation. If you notice any of these signs of medical negligence and are concerned regarding the quality of your care and extent of your injuries, you should contact a medical malpractice lawyer to assist you in evaluating your potential claim.
Medical malpractice can leave patients with unnecessary and long-lasting injuries. The experienced Roanoke medical malpractice attorneys at Strickland, Diviney & Segura are passionate about evaluating the quality of a patient’s care and when necessary and appropriate, pursuing medical malpractice cases. Contact us today at (540) 982-7787 for a confidential consultation to learn more about how we can assist you.
