Getting admitted into a hospital is unsettling whether you have a planned surgery or are rushed to the emergency room. When you are admitted into a hospital you trust that the doctors, nurses, and other staff will provide you with appropriate and adequate medical care.
The standard of care
Health care providers are held to a standard of care. Falling below the standard of care can lead to permanent physical injuries or even death. Proving that a health care provider fell below the standard of care, is one of the many elements you must prove to bring a medical malpractice suit.
Medical malpractice claims can take various forms and include:
- Misdiagnoses and subsequent medical treatment and medication based on those errors
- Surgical mistakes
- Discharging a patient too soon
- Failure to timely treat a condition
Legal claims of medical malpractice are highly complex and challenging. In addition to representation by an attorney, you will need detailed medical records that include dates and evidence of errors made. In addition, medical experts are necessary to opine on the standard of care and that the failure to abide by the standard of care caused you injury.
Time is of the essence in medical malpractice claim, as statutes of limitations exist for these claims. Taking proactive steps can help secure a certain level of justice.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a hospital error, an Arizona attorney may be able to help.