There is surely not a person in the entirety of the state of Iowa who, when making a doctor’s appointment, assumes that doing so will cause them harm; indeed, most of us seek medical care because we trust the expert knowledge of a trained doctor.
And while doctors do help patients on a regular basis–often being the difference between life and death–doctors aren’t infallible.
When a doctor makes a medical mistake, the consequences of that error can have a direct and life-changing impact on the affected patient.
In some cases, bringing forth a medical malpractice suit is warranted.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional deviates from the accepted medical standard of care in treating a patient, and as a direct consequence, the patient suffers harm that they otherwise would not have incurred.
The medical standard of care is the level of care that another medical professional of similar training and background would have exercised in a similar situation.
In order to prove a breach of the medical standard of care, expert testimony is a necessity.
Examples of Medical Malpractice
Anytime that a doctor deviates from the standard of care owed to a patient and a patient is harmed as a result, medical malpractice has occurred.
Some of the most common types of malpractice include:
- Surgical errors, including performing surgery on the wrong body part or wrong patient, failing to properly sanitize equipment, leading to infection, and leaving an object within the patient.
- Medication errors, including giving the patient the wrong medication, administration errors, dosage errors, and more.
- Diagnostic errors, including failing to diagnose a patient’s condition and misdiagnosing a condition.
- Birth injuries resulting from failing to monitor mother or baby, improper use of mediation or drugs, improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors, and more.
The above list is not inclusive – if you have been harmed by a medical provider’s actions, you may have a case. Reach out to our team today to learn more.
Learn More About Med Mal
How Our Lawyers Can Help
Filing a medical malpractice claim is a complex undertaking; doctors have aggressive lawyers on their side to protect them from claims and proving that a breach of the medical standard of care–rather than just an error–occurred can be challenging.
Our lawyers will help you by investigating your case; hiring experts to testify on your behalf; proving causation and damages; ensuring that you adhere to all legal requirements, such as the statute of limitations; making sense of damages available and caps on damages; and negotiating for a fair settlement.
We also have litigation experience should your case go to court.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
A doctor owes you a high duty of care. When this duty is breached, you deserve to be compensated.
Let our medical malpractice lawyers at the office of VanDerGinst Law help you recover damages and justice.
Call today at 800-797-5391 or send us a message to schedule your free consultation.
The information contained on this website is presented by VanDerGinst Law P.C. It is not intended nor should it be construed as professional legal advice. The information is general in nature about the Firm, the scope of services we offer, and our community outreach, it is not legal advice. Please contact us by phone, email, mail, or via this website for inquiries. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact a personal injury attorney for a consultation regarding your situation. This website is not intended to solicit clients outside the State of Iowa and/or the State of Illinois.