Why Some Medical Errors Are Considered Normal
Medical error or medical malpractice?
What is the difference between medical errors and medical malpractice? If you or a loved one was recently the victim of a mistake by a doctor, nurse, surgeon, or other healthcare provider while under his or her care, you may be wondering if it is malpractice. In fact, there is a significant difference between medical errors and medical malpractice. Refer to the information below, or consult with a Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorney to determine where your case falls.
Medical errors
Even highly trained medical professionals encounter circumstances under which the correct method to proceed is unclear. In those situations, patients trust their doctors to make informed, educated decisions regarding their health. Sometimes doctors make mistakes—it is expected. But it is the physician’s responsibility to prepare for those mistakes and minimize the consequences. Most often, medical errors are made by diligent, attentive doctors who are simply doing their jobs caring for their patients.
Medical malpractice
Malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider makes a mistake out of negligence that causes undue harm to the patient. Proving malpractice can be complicated. Along with their Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyers, victims of medical malpractice must prove that:
• A healthcare provider agreed to treat the patient.
• The healthcare provider made an error out of negligence.
• The patient suffered undue harm.
• The harm caused to the patient was a result of the healthcare provider’s negligent action or inaction.
The requirements for malpractice are so stringent because it is important to differentiate between errors made when medical professionals were acting in the best interest of a patient and a medical professional’s failure to meet a reasonable standard of care.
Risks and side effects
Physicians or other healthcare providers are also required to notify patients of the potential risks and side effects of any course of treatment. But even when a patient has been properly informed, negligent errors can still occur. In particular, in the aftermath of surgery it is common for certain conditions to develop, sometimes very quickly. Post-operative wounds may develop infections or blood clots could occur, both of which could be life threatening if not taken care of. Sometimes these conditions can be prevented, and other times they cannot. But if a healthcare provider fails to monitor a patient properly and never detects such a problem, it could be considered negligence.
Contact us
Medical malpractice is a complex field. If you believe you were the victim of medical malpractice, contact Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyer John Caputo. Contact him today.
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