Nine Signs that You Might Have a Medical Malpractice Claim


Medical malpractice is more common than often perceived. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), medical malpractice-related costs are almost $60 billion, or between 2% to 3% of annual healthcare spending.

The sad reality about medical malpractice is that people are often unaware of whether they are a victim. The reality is that medical malpractice is unambiguous. One is either a victim; one is not – there is no in-between the two.
Being aware of the signs of medical negligence can help you understand the nature and the extent of the medical error. If you suspect that you or a loved one have faced medical negligence, here are the signs you must look out for.

1. Uninformed Consent

In many states, patients have the right to obtain consent before undergoing medical treatment or a procedure. Your healthcare providers are legally bound to discuss all health risks and possible complications prior to the treatment. If they do not, it can be a negligent action on their end.

If a patient has not been made aware of the potential risks and benefits of a procedure, they may have faced medical malpractice. You can find more information regarding your rights on reliable platforms like TheConsumerShield.

2. Unending Symptoms

One of the most clear signs suggesting medical malpractice may be the persistence of symptoms or a worsening health condition after the advised treatment. Every healthcare professional is required to provide care and guidance to their patients for a healthy recovery.
 
Professionals failing to meet these standards may expose their patients to medical malpractice. From prescribing the wrong medication to failing to state the implications of certain actions, many things can lead to continuous or worsening symptoms that may be accounted as medical malpractice.

3. Delayed Care

Every second counts for someone in intense pain or dealing with a life-or-death situation. The significance of timely action is well-understood by medical practitioners. Such delays in medical care and diagnosis can also be signs of medical negligence.

If your healthcare fails to provide a patient with due attention in time, they can face serious complications and even death in some cases. If you also feel that your condition may have worsened due to delays in treatment, you may have a medical malpractice claim.

4. Post-Surgery Complications

Surgeries can be simple or complicated, depending on their nature. One of the biggest misconceptions is that only complicated processes can lead to issues after surgery. However, the truth is that these problems arise every other day for procedures of all scales.
 
Every patient relies on the skills and medical practice of the surgeon. Surgical errors in patients can cause severe complications and may even lead to life-threatening situations. The most common signs of post-surgery complications may include unusual swelling, bruising, and bleeding.
 
If you or your loved one has faced such issues after surgery, it is likely that you have faced medical malpractice and negligence from your healthcare provider. You may have been a victim of medical malpractice and can take legal action with the help of a legal professional.

5. Adverse Reactions

Every patient goes to their healthcare provider with the hopes of feeling better and relieved from whatever problem they may be dealing with. Unfortunately, many people receive the exact opposite of their expectations and feel worse aftercare from a professional. It is a crucial signifier of medical malpractice.

If you don't experience the expected results and keep facing pain or discomfort after your treatment, you can reach out to a reliable medical malpractice attorney to discuss the possibility of a successful claim. The most common adverse reaction signs may be building pain, sensation loss, or scarring.

6. Dismissal of Concerns

Professional healthcare providers understand the importance of addressing the concerns of their patients. Every patient has the right to get detailed information about their medical concerns. If a doctor is dismissive of their patient's concerns or withholds information, it is a sign of medical malpractice.

Unfortunately, the concerns of patients are dismissed by healthcare professionals more often than you think. Many times, patients are told that everything is okay and there is nothing to worry about, disregarding the hunches of their patients.

7. Birth Injuries

Every person is excited to welcome a new family member to this world. It takes the attention and dedication of a healthcare provider to ensure that a child enters this world safely. While many to-be parents trust their healthcare specialists with sensitive matters such as childbirth, they are often involved in birth injuries.

Injuries and complications such as cerebral palsy can occur due to medical neglect at the time of birth. If you feel that your child has been harmed during their birth, you can discuss these possibilities with an established attorney and create a plan of action for justice.

8. Late Diagnosis

Many healthcare conditions can be effectively catered to if diagnosed in time. Patients head to their healthcare providers to figure out if their health is up to the mark. Many feel relieved when their physicians tell them there is nothing to be concerned about.

Unfortunately, negligence from physicians can often lead to worsening health conditions. For example, cancer can become untreatable if overlooked for too long. If a healthcare provider fails to alert you about such a problem in time, it can cost you your life.

If your cancer has worsened due to misdiagnosis by your doctor, you may have faced malpractice and can take legal action against them.

9. Failure in Infection Prevention

Hospitals can be a prime location for someone to end up with an infection. However, it is the care and vigilance of doctors and healthcare providers that ensure the safety of their children. It is a crucial responsibility for the healthcare staff because infections can worsen a patient’s condition to threaten their life.

If you feel that you or a loved one may have gotten an infection under professional care due to negligence from your healthcare provider, you may have a medical malpractice claim. 

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Posted - 12/15/2023