When you aren’t feeling well, whether you have an injury or illness, you’ll likely seek medical treatment. For many, visiting a doctor provides hope that feeling well is just around the corner. However, when you leave the doctor feeling worse, this can concerning. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for medical professionals to be negligent, leading to a worsening condition. If this represents your circumstances, you must understand that you can hold the doctor liable for their actions. Keep reading to discover more and learn how a Monroe, Louisiana medical malpractice lawyer can guide you through this complex issue.
What Injuries Can I Sustain During Treatment?
Unfortunately, there are a number of ways in which a doctor’s negligence can harm you. One of the most common forms of malpractice is diagnosis errors. These errors include the following:
- Failure to run the necessary tests
- Failure to examine the results of a test
- Failure to order follow-up or additional lab work
- Diagnosing the wrong issue
- Delaying a diagnosis
These issues can cause severe injury, and in far too many cases, death. When you are not properly diagnosed, it can make your injury or illness worse. Similarly, you may receive treatment for an issue you are not experiencing, resulting in unnecessary medical bills.
Another common form of malpractice occurs in the operating room. Due to the nature of surgery, many protocols must be met. When they are not, the impacts can be life-threatening. Unfortunately, there are dozens of things that could go wrong during an operation. Common problems include breaking a sterile field, leaving objects inside of the patient, wrong site operations, damaging surrounding organs, and anesthetic errors. As a result, the victim may face sepsis, brain damage, unnecessary pain and suffering, or additional complications from organ damage caused by medical professionals.
How Can I Hold a Doctor Liable for Their Negligence?
If you were injured while under the treatment of a medical professional, knowing how to proceed is vital. After all, you deserve compensation for the injuries and expenses you incurred as a result of your negligence.
When proving medical malpractice, four elements must be present. These are referred to as the “four D’s” or duty, dereliction, direct cause, and damages. If you can prove that the doctor had a duty of care to you, they breached their duty, it caused direct injuries, and you suffered damages as a result, you’ll likely be able to recover compensation.
Unfortunately, medical malpractice is a complex issue that can be exceptionally challenging to navigate if you are unfamiliar with the laws regarding these issues. As such, it’s essential to enlist the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney to help you hold a negligent doctor liable for their actions. At Breithaupt, DuBos, & Wolleson, our dedicated team will fight to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Reach out today to connect with a member of our firm.
