Spokane

Medical Malpractice Attorney

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Nobody wants to deal with medical problems in any shape or form. It’s even worse when those medical problems are created or worsened by the medical professionals who are supposed to be treating you.

Unfortunately, medical errors are one of the major causes of accidental death in the US. Therefore, it has become crucial for everyone to know how to recognize medical malpractice.

Every healthcare professional in Spokane Washington has a duty to cause no harm to their patients and to employ acceptable, proven methods. When they breach this duty of care and cause injuries, this is medical malpractice.

If you are injured by the negligence of a healthcare provider or by the failure of the provider to carry out a procedure competently, you may have a claim for medical malpractice. You may be entitled to financial compensation.

Medical malpractice requires both legal and medical expertise. As such, it can be a very complicated area of law. It is, therefore, essential to find a well versed and experienced attorney when pursuing a medical malpractice claim.

The Different Types Of Medical Malpractice in Spokane Washington

Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.

Anybody could make an honest mistake, and doctors are no exception. Despite this, a misdiagnosis would constitute medical malpractice where the doctor fails to follow due diagnostic process or disregarded critical information on the patient’s chart.

Gross negligence.

Healthcare providers found guilty of gross negligence in regards to patient welfare may face drastic civil penalties.

Improper treatment.

The medical community has specific standards for the treatment of different illnesses. The doctor is obligated to adhere to these standards except in extreme cases after first obtaining the consent of the patient. An example of such extreme cases is an experimental procedure for a terminal disease.

Failure to warn.

When a patient comes for treatment, doctors are obligated to fully disclose all the risks and possible side effects of that treatment. This is so that the patient can make an informed decision as to whether to go ahead with the treatment. Where the doctor fails to give the required warning, and it results in injury, the patient has a claim for medical malpractice.

Medication errors.

Before prescribing medication for a patient, doctors are expected to take the patient’s medical history and drug allergies into consideration. Failure to do this can result in a medical malpractice claim.

Surgical errors.

These errors include surgical missteps, leaving the patient on the table for too long, improper positioning, leaving dangerous items or instruments in the patient, damaging the tissues around the surgical site, etc.

Who can be held liable for medical malpractice in Spokane Washington?

For a defendant to be held responsible for medical malpractice in the event of injury to a patient, it must be proved that the defendant owed a duty of care to the patient. The victim must also prove that that duty was breached, and the breach led to the injury. Anybody involved in the negligence that resulted in the injury can be liable for damages, such as:

A healthcare provider.

A surgeon, nurse, anesthesiologist, and other healthcare practitioners can be individually liable for injuries where the practitioner is an independent contractor. Where the practitioner is an employee, the employer may be vicariously liable.

A health facility.

A hospital or healthcare center can be held vicariously liable for the negligence of its employees. It can also be held responsible if it committed an act or omission. For example, if it fails to follow acceptable standards involving patient care, fails to keep the premises clean and safe or fails to train its employees properly.

A manufacturer.

The manufacturer of a drug or medical device may be held liable for medical malpractice injuries if the drug or device had a defect, and that defect caused the injury.

Contact A Spokane Medical Malpractice Attorney

Medical malpractice is a serious issue, not only in Spokane but all across the globe. If you are a victim of medical malpractice, know that you are not alone. Many others have suffered injuries and even wrongful death as a result of negligent healthcare practitioners and facilities.

Contact a medical malpractice attorney at Gilbert Law Firm to learn more about your case and the possibility of compensation.