Understanding Your Rights in Medical Care

When a loved one is in need of medical care, it is important to research all the options and choose a provider you feel comfortable with. Unfortunately, mistakes can happen, even with a carefully chosen healthcare provider.

Medical malpractice occurs when a provider, usually a doctor or hospital, fails to administer treatment that meets the customary standard of health care. Through medical negligence or misdiagnosis, malpractice may result in injury or wrongful death of a patient. In a medical malpractice case, the doctor, hospital, health facility, or government agency in charge of health care center may all be held accountable.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs paid $91.7 million in malpractice claims, making this the largest judgment against a government agency in 12 years. Gross negligence, missed diagnoses, delayed treatment, and procedures performed on the wrong body parts were cited as the major medical mistakes of the government agency.

While this is certainly an extreme example of medical malpractice, even minor mistakes can permanently alter a patient’s life.  Advancements in technology have made it easier to expose risky doctors by providing an online forum for discussion of personal experiences. However, it is not always easy to recognize a medical practitioner who does not have your loved one’s best interests at heart.

Skilled medical malpractice attorneys can seek compensation for the victims of medical malpractice and their families. These claims may not only help compensate injury or death sustained while under medical care, but may also prevent future mistakes on the part of the health care provider. If you feel your medical provider has failed you, it may be time to consult a legal professional.

About McAleer Law:

McAleer Law—Decatur, Georgia’s preeminent personal injury, worker’s compensation, and Social Security Disability firm—has been representing plaintiffs and injured workers for more than ten years. Specializing in lost wage, medical expense, pain/suffering, lost quality of life, and psychological injury cases, founder Charles McAleer guarantees his clients personal attention, diligence, and unparalleled service quality. For more information on Charles McAleer and the McAleer Law Firm visit www.McAleerLaw.com, “like” McAleer Law on Facebook, or follow @McAleerLawFirm on Twitter.