Warning Signs That a Doctor May Commit Malpractice

If you’ve ever needed to visit an emergency room for an injury or an escalating ailment, you’re putting your medical care in the hands of complete strangers. That is not always a bad thing.

The staff at an ER have been well-trained, and everyone works as a team to help every patient to either be treated and cleared for release or admitted for further treatment. It differs from your family physician. That is someone you might have been seeing for years and trust implicitly.

Unfortunately, in either scenario, you could find yourself the victim of an incident of medical malpractice. When that happens, it doesn’t matter what type of relationship you have had with the medical professional, you are entitled to seek a remedy for whatever harm they might have caused.

These are inherently complex cases that require a certificate of merit from an independent medical professional before you can even file a claim. The Jackson medical malpractice lawyers at Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, have helped many clients achieve fair compensation for their losses resulting from medical malpractice errors.

Do you think you might be the victim of a harmful error? Here are the warning signs that may indicate a doctor has committed malpractice.

Ignoring Patient Concerns or Symptoms

It is true that during a typical day, a doctor will hear a lot of complaints. Some of these complaints are specific and can help a doctor pinpoint what might be wrong. Others can be vague or have symptoms of a wide range of potential illnesses.

A doctor must listen attentively to all their patients. They must take any concern of reported symptoms seriously.

If a doctor dismisses those concerns, it could be a warning sign of potential malpractice.

Delayed Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis

A proper diagnosis is what leads to prescribed treatment. If a doctor fails to diagnose an ailment or delays that diagnosis, it can impede the patient’s ability to recover. A misdiagnosis can be corrected, but waiting can cause further harm. Sometimes, the only way to know if you’ve been the victim of a misdiagnosis is to seek a second opinion.

Lack of Informed Consent

There is a risk associated with any type of medical procedure or prescription. A patient needs to be informed of those risks before they agree to undergo the treatment.

Not only should a patient be informed of the risks but also of any alternative forms of treatment so that they can make an informed decision about their care. If your doctor does not properly explain or provide written information and instructions about your treatment, this could be an example of malpractice to discuss with an attorney.

Lack of Communication

In addition to providing information about your treatment, a doctor must maintain open lines of communication with their patients, especially those dealing with ailments that require proper follow-up. You may have questions about a change in your symptoms or experience a reaction to a medication that does not require a face-to-face appointment.

Your doctor should still make themselves available to respond promptly to emails or return calls. A lack of communication can lead to further unwanted complications.

Prescription Errors

There is a lot that can go wrong with a prescription. Your doctor could prescribe the wrong medication or the wrong dosage. They might overlook your history and not consider the potential for harmful side effects. All of those prescription errors can lead to significant health complications.

Unfortunately, you might not know about these errors until you’ve already suffered a setback.

Previous Incidents

A doctor can’t hide from a malpractice complaint. Those are a matter of public record.

In an emergency, you won’t have the time to look up a doctor’s history. However, if you’re choosing a new doctor, you should research their history with the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure to see if they’ve been accused of malpractice. It is essential to note that an accusation is not equivalent to a conviction.

Many former patients could have been dissatisfied with the outcome of their treatment.

That doesn’t automatically rise to the level of malpractice. However, a doctor who exhibits a repeated pattern of errors and complaints should be considered carefully for your medical care.

Getting Support for Your Claim

If you feel like your doctor did not provide a standard of care and the result was further harm, you owe it to yourself and your family to discuss what happened with the medical malpractice attorneys at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC.

Our experience in this area will help you bring into focus your concerns to determine if they are indeed an issue of medical malpractice. We’ve helped many clients find the clarity they need to determine the best course of action for their situation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to schedule a consultation.

You’ll feel better when you understand your options.