Medical Malpractice Law: Understanding Your Rights as a Patient
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional or facility fails to provide appropriate care, resulting in harm or injury to a patient. In such cases, patients have legal rights and can seek compensation for damages. In this article, we’ll explore medical malpractice law, including what it is, how it works, and what patients should do if they believe they have been the victim of medical malpractice.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice refers to a breach of the duty of care owed by healthcare professionals or facilities to their patients. This can occur when a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standards of care, resulting in harm to the patient. Medical malpractice can take many forms, including misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication errors, and birth injuries.
Proving Medical Malpractice
To prove medical malpractice, a patient must demonstrate that:
- A duty of care existed between the healthcare provider and the patient.
- The