Medical Malpractice and Legal Matters

1. How to Legally Handle Medical Malpractice? Medical malpractice has become a greater concern for doctors over the years. The age of lawsuits means that people are quick to sue for any wrongs they feel have been committed against them. While most doctors do everything they can to avoid being sued for malpractice, sometimes there is just nothing they can do. Even when they do everything right, something can still go wrong - and the doctor often takes the blame for these problems, whether they were responsible or not. Unfortunately, it is very simple for someone to bring a lawsuit against another person today, but on the bright side, there is a complex process which rules out most frivolous suits. There are two types of damages available to victims of medical malpractice. A successful malpractice attorney may be able to secure the client both compensatory, as well as punitive, damages. 1. Compensatory Damages: Compensatory damages serve to financially compensate victims of medical malpractice for their own financial losses or damages that may have resulted from the incident. The client may be entitled to compensation for a whole host of medical bills both past and future, including hospitalization, surgery or therapy. The client may also be compensated for pain or suffering www.handelinlaw.com 1000 N. Division Street, Suite 201, Carson City, NV 89703

2. resulting from the malpractice. This might include any deformity or disfigurement, as well as physical or mental impairment. 2. Punitive Damages: Punitive damages refer to money recovered to make an example of the doctor in question. These awards are not meant to compensate the victim, but more to punish the defendant and hopefully deter him or her (as well as the profession) from future misconduct. Punitive damages are more difficult to recover, as the malpractice attorney must prove obvious, reckless disregard for the safety of a patient. The doctor must have knowingly engaged in inappropriate dangerous behavior for punitive damages to be recovered. Medical malpractice attorneys must be aware of the specific medical malpractice "statute of limitations" governing the state in which the incident occurred, before addressing each malpractice case. The statute of limitations refers to the length of time one can legally wait before filing a claim for medical malpractice. These lengths vary from state to state so it is important for both the client and the malpractice attorney to be aware of their individual state laws governing medical malpractice. When Do You Need a Medical Malpractice Lawyer? You need the services of medical malpractice lawyer when you are medically misdiagnosed. Misdiagnosing your ailment can cause serious discomfort to you and your overall health. For instance, an ailment that may have just been treated if well diagnosed may take a permanent recourse if misdiagnosed. Negligence From Some Medical Doctors Negligence from some medical practitioners also results in the malpractice. You may be medically neglected through the doctor's inexperience, use of inefficient medical equipment, experimentation and so on. Whatever the cause of the neglect, does not erase the fact that the doctor should have taken extra care to attend to you medically. So you have right for redress when you are medically neglected regardless of the cause. Medical-surgical injuries are also cases when you require the services of a competent medical lawyer to help you get legal redress. Some surgical injuries result in a permanent disability which could have been avoided. The medical institution where the surgery took place or the individuals or individual involved should be made to pay in case of any malpractice. There have been cases where some surgical instruments are 'forgotten' in the patients' body after the operation. This has caused some deaths, though the statistics are not exact but if you find yourself in such or similar situation. You need a medical malpractice attorney to fight for you in the law court. www.handelinlaw.com 1000 N. Division Street, Suite 201, Carson City, NV 89703

3. Medical Malpractice Advise Note that in some cases, the medical malpractice attorney may advise you to opt for out-of-court settlement. Ask him for his reasons and give him every understanding because he is a professional and knows what is best for you. Trusting his judgment and advice will make him pursue your case with the vigor it deserves until you get the appropriate monetary compensation. Consult thoroughly with a medical malpractice attorney and discuss every detail of your case with him so that he can effectively give you the representation that will be fruitful to your compensation quest. As new medical practices continue to push the envelope, people will seek reasons to sue when things go wrong, but the definition of medical malpractice protects doctors from many lawsuits filed by people who are just looking to put the blame somewhere. Fortunately for doctors who are concerned about wrongful lawsuits, there has been a recent push to reform many of the torts which govern the medical industry. They are intended to eliminate lawsuits filed by people who, for whatever reason, feel they were wronged by their doctors. www.handelinlaw.com 1000 N. Division Street, Suite 201, Carson City, NV 89703