Medical malpractice is very dangerous for patients. A significant error could lead to serious injuries or death in some cases.
It’s not always easy to know when medical malpractice has taken place, but it’s possible to put together the pieces and start a case once you suspect that something went wrong that shouldn’t have.
Red flags that medical malpractice took place
A few red flags that could be a sign that medical malpractice took place include:
- Receiving medications that aren’t correct or that don’t line up with your treatment
- Getting called the wrong name repeatedly despite correcting the provider or nursing team
- Talking to another doctor who expresses that they feel your treatment was mishandled
It can be hard to know when an error took place versus when a complication arose that would have occurred no matter who your provider was. So, if you have a surgery much longer than expected or are given medications that can’t be combined with others you already take, it’s worth talking to another provider for a second opinion. Gather up all your documents and any information you have about any injuries you’ve suffered, so you can begin to build a case.
Will a medical provider admit to errors?
It’s hard to say for sure. Sometimes, when accidents or errors occur, a medical provider will discuss the problem with the patient and apologize to them. They may offer to take steps to make the situation right, as well.
Not all providers do this. Some may try to hide errors or blame complications on aspects of the case outside of their control despite that not being the truth. In some cases, patients don’t even know that anything went wrong until they have symptoms or other issues later in the future.
What should you do if you suspect medical malpractice?
If you suspect that medical malpractice took place in your case, it’s time to look closely into your legal options. You’ll need to talk to other experts in the field to learn more about your medical condition and to determine if the standard of care you should have received was met.
