‌Do You Need a Medical Malpractice Lawyer? Here Are 5 Signs

Did you know that hospitals and medical facilities pay billions of dollars in medical malpractice lawsuits annually? In fact, according to a report, $55 billion are spent annually in medical liability cases for negligence and other types of medical malpractice.

If you feel that you are a victim of medical negligence or have been harmed by your doctor, you must contact medical malpractice lawyers. They will be able to help you initiate a lawsuit. 

But what is a medical malpractice lawyer and how can they help you? Continue reading to find out.

What Is a Medical Malpractice Lawyer?

An attorney for medical malpractice is a professional in assisting patients who have been wronged by a doctor or a medical center while under their care. We are not sure if you would believe it, but unfortunately, medical malpractice is far more common than you may assume.

According to a study conducted by Yale university, the rate of preventable deaths caused by medical negligence is four times higher than those of other causes of mortality. This makes medical negligence the most common cause of death in the United States after cancer and heart attack.

Also, medical malpractice lawsuits are very challenging. This is why a medical malpractice attorney must be aware of medical law and have the following qualities:

• Legal Expertise – Medical malpractice lawyers must have experience and expertise because medical lawsuits involve unique legal issues. These lawsuits could take more than five years to resolve, which is why a medical malpractice attorney must have the legal experience and expertise to handle such cases.
• Medical Expertise – Another crucial aspect in effectively dealing with medical malpractice is having a deep and wide understanding of the medical profession. A medical malpractice attorney should have knowledge of and expertise regarding medical procedures and all types of medical malpractice. Because when they do, they’ll be able to help clients efficiently.
• Experience – As mentioned earlier, medical malpractices are challenging. So, if you wish to hire an attorney for a medical malpractice case, you must first have a concrete idea about the number of previous medical malpractice cases handled, their outcomes or verdicts, and the firm’s experience handling such cases. If they have an excellent record of winning malpractice lawsuits, then you could consider their legal services.

Five Reasons You Need a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When it comes to medical practices and negligence, things aren’t always as black and white as they may seem. So, if you’re confused about how to prove medical malpractice and whether you should hire a lawyer, here are several points to consider:

1. Late or Misdiagnosis Has Affected Your Health

Misdiagnosis can lead to the wrong course of treatment, which can cause serious health repercussions. In contrast, a late diagnosis can be fatal in various health conditions. Sometimes, there is a great chance the doctor could have avoided a late or wrong diagnosis if they hadn’t been so careless.

If something like this has happened to you, and you have suffered in any way, you must contact a medical malpractice lawyer.

Ensure that your insurance company doesn’t misguide you to reduce the claim. If you play all your cards accurately and hire an experienced medical malpractice lawyer, then there is a great possibility that you could get the claim tenfold.

2. Opposing Second Opinion

Most people have a habit of consulting with their primary doctor. But if at any point you feel like the treatment isn’t working and you’re not getting well, you should consider asking for a second opinion.

A second opinion helps reduce the chances of misdiagnosis and also ensures you won’t have to spend on treatments that are unnecessary. However, if the second opinion you receive contradicts the initial treatment, you must get in touch with a medical malpractice lawyer.

The reason for this is that when two doctors provide entirely different opinions and recommend opposing treatments, either one of them could be wrong, which puts your health and life at risk.  This is why you should hire a lawyer to get into it.

3. Worsening of Sickness Due to Medical Negligence

Receiving the wrong course of treatment does more harm than receiving no treatment at all. According to statistics, more than 1.5 million Americans suffer annually due to improper treatment.

Furthermore, the wrong medication could extend hospital stays to 7 days, increasing the total hospital admissions cost. If you have suffered under these circumstances, you deserve compensation from the doctor who treated you.

A medical mistake can make you eligible for a massive settlement if the patient’s condition worsens due to unfair treatment or results in a fatality.

4. Carelessness During Childbirth

Obstetricians, gynecologists, and midwives as a result of negligence can cause catastrophic health issues for mothers and their children. This is mainly because injuries during childbirth can leave a child permanently disabled or cause the mother to suffer emotionally beyond repair.

Some birth injuries could affect and compromise a mother’s natural capacity and chances of  bearing children ever again, which could undermine their relationship with significant others.

This is another sign that you may want to hire a medical malpractice lawyer to sue the doctor or midwife who performed the childbirth procedure.

5. Insurance Issues

If an insurance company is stonewalling you or giving you trouble when initiating a claim, this is another sign why you must hire a medical malpractice attorney.

A medical malpractice lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company and ensure you receive the settlement you deserve. When an insurance company knows you have a lawyer on your side, they will be more forthright and fair when settling things with you.

Final Verdict

A medical malpractice lawyer doesn’t only help you with getting the settlement you deserve but  also initiates a lawsuit that should put an end to repeated negligence in the medical profession and their practice. They are experienced in dealing with financial setbacks brought about by the negligence of medical practitioners.

If you have ever felt that you were wronged by a doctor while under their care, were  misdiagnosed, or treated incorrectly, get in touch with a medical malpractice attorney, and they will be able to help you out.

You just have to make sure to keep a record of all your hospital visits and all the treatments your doctor prescribed for and gave you. Because when you have all the necessary documents, your case will be much stronger than you know.