Who Should Pay For Medical Malpractice?

When you or a loved one enters a medical facility, it is usually accompanied by the hope and expectations of being helped for a medical condition. Most people never imagine that they could end up in even worse shape as a result of a medical facility or a doctor, but it happens every day, nevertheless. The field of medical science has made amazing advancements in which people are living longer and are in better health than ever before. When there are humans being involved, however, there is always the potential for carelessness and negligence to cause an injury or even a death. While most of the time patients experience healing and help, there are always exceptions. Read on to learn more.

Who is Responsible for the Harm Done?

Dealing with medical issues can be incredibly complex. Just a yearly check-up with your primary care doctor could entail visiting a doctor and specialist, testing labs, diagnostic facilities, and medical offices with nurses and nurse practitioners. If you are hurt during an encounter with medical personnel, identifying the responsible party can be tricky.

Physicians

You might not think about it often, but doctors make mistakes just like everyone else. Some people view doctors as elevated icons that should never be questioned and that never err, but most of us have heard of far too many cases where doctors were tired, careless, under the influence, or untrained and a patient ended up being harmed. The harm caused by doctors goes beyond surgeons operating on the wrong body part. Other forms of harm include misdiagnosing, improper prescribing, and incompetence. Doctors must purchase malpractice insurance to be licensed and you might want to keep in mind that you are actually suing and fighting the insurance carrier instead of the doctor personally.

Hospitals and Medical Facilities

When you are harmed as a result of anyone or anything other than as a direct result of a physician's actions, it's not necessary to file suit against an individual. In most cases, diagnosticians, nurses, administrative personnel, aides, and other workers in hospitals and other medical facilities are covered under the insurance policy of the facility itself. In some doctor's offices, the entire staff is covered by either the business insurance or the physician. Some common causes of issues in facilities include lack of training, failure to use due care, disease and sanitation controls or training, medication mistakes, under-staffing, and more.

If you have been harmed by medical wrongdoing, speak with a medical malpractice personal injury lawyer for a case evaluation.


Share