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What Constitutes Medical Malpractice
To begin with, let’s clarify what actually constitutes medical malpractice. Simply put, it occurs when a healthcare professional or facility deviates from the standard of care that is widely accepted by the medical community, and that deviation leads to injury or death of a patient. Think of it as a breach of the unwritten contract of trust between a patient and their care provider. However, it's essential to recognize that not all unfortunate medical outcomes are due to malpractice. Rather, it has to be proven that the healthcare provider was negligent and that their actions or lack thereof directly caused harm.
Instances of medical errors that could qualify as malpractice include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication errors, birth injuries, and failure to treat. For instance, if a physician dismisses a patient's symptoms, resulting in a delayed diagnosis that harms the patient, that might be malpractice. Similarly, prescribing the wrong medication dosage that leads to adverse effects could fall under the same category. The crux of the matter is that there was a preventable error made that breached the standard of care we rightfully expect.
To establish a malpractice case, three key elements must be present: a duty of care owed by the professional to the patient, a breach of that duty, and an injury directly caused by that breach with subsequent damages. These elements create the framework for a legal claim and set the stage for what must be proven in court. While establishing these elements might seem daunting, it is a necessary step in validating one’s grievances and laying the groundwork for potential compensation.
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