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Sooner or later, you may find yourself in need of professional medical attention for an injury or illness that requires immediate treatment or care. When this happens, you should not have to worry about your safety or wellbeing while in the hands of a doctor, physician, or a healthcare facility. However, the tragic reality of our nation’s substandard patient care has made a medical malpractice an unavoidable and catastrophic issue for millions. According to the National Medical Malpractice Advocacy Association, over 1,200 patients are casualties of medical negligence every single day. Sadly, this number shows no signs of slowing down as neither hospitals nor the doctors who operate within them do not always use tracked data to improve patient care.
To spread awareness about the devastating reality regarding the lack of transparency within our healthcare system, the NMMAA has declared July as Medical Malpractice Awareness Month and provides invaluable resources and support for those whose lives are forever ruined because they trusted the wrong doctor or hospital. If you find yourself in the upsetting and frightening situation of being injured or harmed by a medical professional you believed to be trustworthy, rest assured all hope is not lost as you do not have to face this devastating time alone.
Types of Medical Malpractice
Though medical malpractice can take place across a wide range of areas, it is typically attributed to the negligent actions of a specific individual or entity. Those who can be held responsible in these tragic cases are not limited to primary care doctors and can extend to any health professional including nurses, surgeons, physician’s assistants, paramedics, pharmacists, therapists, dentists, and more. On a broader level, larger entities may also be called into question including hospitals, treatment facilities, and other medical centers. The most common forms of medical negligence and malpractice occur in the following ways, including:
- Misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or failure to diagnose
- Failure to warn a patient of hazards of risks
- Medication errors including overprescribing
- Surgical errors such as incorrect anesthesia dosages
As you can imagine, the consequences of these severe mistakes can be permanent and life-altering, leaving victims with a barely-recognizable life to return to. Oftentimes, patients suffer from a multitude of emotional, mental, physical, and personal traumas as a result of what they have endured. As such, the type and amount of damages one can claim will depend on the specific circumstances of their particular case. As expected, most patients will have no issues obtaining compensation for quantifiable values such as medical expenses, loss of work or wages, future treatment, etc., as well as for physical and mental pain and suffering.
Calculating the monetary significance of certain matters such as the loss of enjoyment of life or the loss of your future earning capacity frequently require the expertise of additional specialists. In some rare cases, victims may be entitled to pursue punitive damages against the individual or entity responsible for their suffering. However, these are not commonly awarded as they are reserved for cases involving a deliberate and intentional act of harm.
Seeking a Medical Malpractice Lawyer You Can Trust? Contact Our Notable & Skilled Firm today
If you or a loved one has been injured or otherwise harmed at the hands of a negligent or reckless medical professional, we at the Leonard Law Group are tirelessly willing to fight for justice to be served. Our compassionate and experienced legal team understands just how sensitive and delicate the nature of these heartbreaking cases can be, especially those involving wrongful death, which is why we strive to effortlessly resolve these issues while protecting your best interests above all else.
Don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 312.487.2513 to schedule an initial case evaluation today.