Medical Malpractice: Determining If You Have a Case

Many people think that they have a medical malpractice case whenever their doctor or nurse makes a mistake while treating them, but this isn’t always true. Proving that medical malpractice has actually occurred is easier said than done, so here are some things you should know before you start looking for medical malpractice lawyers to take your case.

What is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional causes injury or harm to a patient, either by doing something incorrectly during treatment or failing to provide the proper treatment at all. Incorrectly diagnosing an illness, causing permanent damage during surgery or making an ailment worse all count as medical malpractice. In other words, it is due to a mistake that a doctor or nurse made when treating a patient.

The key to proving whether medical malpractice occurred during treatment is in determining the standard of care. Even the most accomplished and cautious medical professionals make mistakes sometimes, and some injuries and illnesses are no fault of anybody. Unexpected allergic reactions and complications arising from undiagnosed medical conditions usually cannot be blamed on a doctor. On the other hand, those who had healthy limbs amputated or suffered brain damage during an operation would definitely have a case.

How Do You Determine That You Have a Case?

In order to prove that medical malpractice has occurred, you need to show that you suffered harm as a result of a medical professional’s mistake; simply proving that a mistake has been made is not enough. This can include increased physical pain, physical disability, mental anguish, increased medical bills and lost wages due to being unable to work. You almost always need an expert witness to prove that any injury or mental anguish you’ve suffered was caused by a professional’s negligence. These expert witnesses are almost always doctors who examine the patient to determine where the negligence occurred.

Medical malpractice cases are usually incredibly complicated. Patients have a lot to prove in medical malpractice cases, and it can be years before a case is settled.

All this is not to say that you shouldn’t contact a Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorney if you aren’t sure you have a case. Medical malpractice is a serious issue, and anybody who falls victim to it deserves some compensation. A good attorney will be able to determine whether or not you have a case, so don’t hesitate to make a call and at least ask some questions.

Medical malpractice cases can be quite complex. Ensure that you have a winning team on your side by contacting the Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyers at Goldberg, Persky & White Attorneys at Law. Our lawyers have proven again and again how valuable experience can be in the courtroom, helping hundreds of clients get the compensation they deserve while helping them get back on their feet. Call us today for your free consultation, and let us walk you through what we can do.