We often hear of medical malpractice, but what is it? How can we prevent ourselves, our children, and other loved ones from encountering this scary term that you always hear? First, medical malpractice generally occurs when a health care professional or care provider gives treatment that in turn results in serious injury, furthered complication or death. Secondly, while it is not 100% possible to prevent you and your loved ones from encountering a case of medical malpractice, there are steps that you can take to be smarter about the care you receive.
According to a study in 2011 reported by Medical News Today, hospital errors affect nearly 1 in 3 patients throughout the nation. Examples of medical malpractice found to be the most common by researchers at the University of Utah included:
· Leaving stuff inside a body after surgery
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· Staph Infections
· Bedsores
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· Persistent pain after surgery
· Administering the wrong drug
· Overdose or under dosage of medication
· Misdiagnosis
· Performing a procedure on the wrong part of the body
To avoid medical malpractice, the best preventative measure is to do your research. For example, get a referral from a trusted friend or relative. You can also go to public review websites and check to see if the physician you are choosing has any history of medical malpractice and also read reviews from past patients. The other thing that you can do is to shop around by attending initial consultations. During these consultations, pay attention to how thorough your doctor is in asking questions about history and other health concerns. It will also be a time to see how you generally feel working with the doctor.
Still, unfortunate accidents do sometimes occur when being treated no matter how much research is done. If you or a loved one were affected by what you may think is a case of medical mal practice, call an Illinois medical mal practice attorney as soon as possible. By filing a law suit for medical mal practice, you can be compensated for damages including future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Malman Law is a personal injury law firm based in Chicago, IL. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in all of Illinois and will aggressively fight for the compensation that you are entitled to. Call our office today for a free consultation and legal advice regarding the damages done to you.
