However, while the vast majority of medical professionals have good intentions, mistakes and errors do happen in the healthcare world. In fact, some estimate that 225,000 Americans die each year due to medical errors, with even more left seriously injured and disabled. While some of these medical mistakes are unavoidable, many of them should have been prevented. These medical mistakes are the result of negligence, usually on the part of a doctor, nurse, or medical facility.
At Malman Law, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys are here to help you and your family in the wake of a medical error. We can help you analyze your medical records, understand your case, and choose the best legal action for your family and your situation.
We offer free, private case evaluations. To schedule yours, please call (888) 562-0928.
It is a dangerous misconception that medical errors are normal, unavoidable, and legal. Although many procedures carry risks and complications, your medical professional and your hospital have an obligation under state and federal laws to provide patients with a reasonable standard of care. This means that you should expect your doctor to perform at the same level as any other doctor with the same license and training.
A risk during a surgery or a procedure is a statistical chance that your medical procedure will not have an ideal outcome. For example, a heart surgery could carry a risk of fatality, not necessarily because the doctor makes a mistake, but because of a patient’s medical history, weak heart, or the complexity of the operation.
A complication of surgery is an unwanted outcome, such as an infection. Complications from a procedure are sometimes no one’s fault and at other times, they are associated with medical malpractice or a medical mistake.
A medical mistake is an error made by a medical professional or medical facility. Medical mistakes are almost always the result of negligence and should have been prevented.
If you have been injured by a medical mistake, you may deserve compensation for damages including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Speaking to an experienced surgical or medical malpractice lawyer about your claim is the best way to understand whether you have a case, as well as how much your case may be worth.
Medical malpractice comes in all shapes and forms, from a bad scalpel cut during a surgery to a medication mistake that results in an overdose. However, although there are literally thousands of different examples of medical malpractice, many of the reasons behind those errors are similar. For example, medical malpractice may occur due to: