Determining If Your Have a Medical Malpractice Case
When you are sick or injured, you go to the doctor or hospital expecting the medical providers there to do everything in their power to help you get better. Most of us put great trust in our doctors and hospital staff to have the knowledge and training needed to treat us accordingly, and to take the appropriate actions in providing care. Unfortunately, that trust may be misplaced, as studies indicate an alarming increase in medical errors over the last ten years, with a corresponding increase in medical malpractice cases. If you or someone you love has been hurt or suffered an injury as the result of a medical error or poor treatment, the following is vital information in considering whether to file a medical malpractice claim.
Medical Errors on The Rise
According to a 2014 report in the online health industry journal HealthLeaders Media, hospital quality experts have testified before the United States Senate regarding the alarmingly high rate of medical errors that occur in this country. According to industry experts and independent studies, as many as 400,000 people are killed each year as a result of medical malpractice. Senate hearings on the quality of healthcare indicate that medical errors are so common that they are now the third leading cause of death in the country, killing approximately 1,000 people per day. These errors include the following:
- Missed and incorrect diagnosis
- Healthcare associated infections
- Surgical errors
- Prescription drug errors
For a free legal consultation, call 803-222-2222
Proving Your Case
Under Section 15-79-110 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, in order to prove a medical malpractice claim you would need to show that a medical provider either did something a reasonably prudent medical professional would not do under ordinary standards, or did not provide the care or take the appropriate actions that a reasonable medical provider should have. By law, medical malpractice cases may be filed against providers in hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, nursing homes, and other types of healthcare institutions, and may be filed on account of errors made by the following types of staff:
- Doctors, surgeons, and specialists
- Anesthesiologists
- Dentists and oral surgeons
- Pharmacists and staff
- Nurses, health care technicians, and orderlies
- Chiropractors and staff
- Optometrists and their staff
Your first step in determining whether you have a case and the types of damages you may be able to claim is to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Medical malpractice cases are often a complicated and difficult matter, and you will need an aggressive attorney with experience in these types of cases in order to stand the best chances for success.
Reach Out to Us Today for Assistance
If you or someone you care about has suffered an injury or illness as the result of a medical error, mistake, or missed diagnosis, contact our experienced South Carolina medical malpractice attorneys right away. At Anastopoulo Law Firm we have the experience and expertise necessary to help victims of medical malpractice get the compensation they need to recover from their injuries. With offices in Charleston and throughout South Carolina, we will fight aggressively for your rights, and hold responsible parties accountable. Call us today for a free consultation.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
