When it comes to having things go wrong during a surgery or procedure, or even just during the course of treatment, many people think that it automatically means that they have a medical malpractice suit. However, this is not the case. Before you start thinking that you may have a medical malpractice suit, you'll want to learn exactly what medical malpractice is. The information offered to you below will give you a good description and explanation of medical malpractice, so you know when it's time for you to contact an attorney. However, if you aren't sure, then it's always best to err on the side of caution and ask an attorney firsthand, so you know you aren't missing out on recouping losses that you would legally be entitled to.
What is not medical malpractice?
Things that aren't considered medical malpractice are problems that arise during any type of medical treatment that couldn't be helped and that had nothing to do with the treatment you received but had more to do with the way your body reacted. Things that aren't medical malpractice are things that could not have been foreseen ahead of time.
What is medical malpractice?
Things that are medical malpractice are problems that arise during or after treatment that could have been avoided with proper care and proper attention paid to the details. If the medical staff was negligent in any way or violated any standards of care in a way that contributed to the negative outcome of your treatment, then you may have a medical malpractice case.
In order for you to win a medical malpractice case, you will need to prove that the injury or negative outcome would not have happened had it not been for the negligent medical treatment you had received. If it can be proved that the negative outcome may have happened no matter what, then you are going to have quite a battle in the court room.
When should you contact a lawyer?
Anytime you feel you may have a case, you want to contact a lawyer. You don't want to wait because the longer you wait, the more contact and communications you may have with people on your own. When you are communicating with the people involved in the case without a lawyer's advice, you run the risk of saying the wrong things to them. While you may think that you aren't saying anything wrong, there are many ways you can say something that their lawyer will be able to turn around in court and make it look like you said something wrong and this can ruin your case. Contact a firm, like Lee Eadon Isgett Popwell & Owens, for more help.