If a medical doctor fails to competently perform his or her duties, and this failure results in the injury of a patient, then the injured patient may bring a medical malpractice claim against the doctor. Rules regarding medical malpractice law vary from state to state—for example, some states require patients to notify their doctors of the lawsuit ahead of time. However, there are some basic elements that apply to medical malpractice cases across the country.
A Doctor-Patient Relationship Existed
For a patient to successfully bring a medical malpractice lawsuit against a medical professional, she must first show that she had a physician-patient relationship with the accused doctor. The patient must show that she hired the doctor and that the doctor agreed to be hired. The most common cases in which the doctor-patient relationship is unclear is when a consulting physician doesn’t treat the patient directly.
The Doctor Was Negligent
Patients who are unhappy with their treatment don’t necessarily have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim. A doctor is only considered to be negligent if he or she caused harm in a way that a competent doctor wouldn’t have under the same circumstances. Most states require a medical expert to discuss the standards of treatment in a medical setting to determine whether or not a particular doctor complied with those standards.
The Doctor’s Negligence Led to Harm
Many times, doctors treat patients who are already sick or injured, and it can be difficult to show that their negligence resulted in patient harm. In medical malpractice cases, the plaintiff must prove that it is “more likely than not” that the doctor’s negligence directly caused her harm.
For more information on medical malpractice laws in Gaithersburg, contact Sussman & Simcox: Attorneys at Law at (301) 840-0404. Our practice focuses solely on personal injury cases to ensure our clients receive the best possible representation. Our Gaithersburg personal injury attorneys represent people injured in Gaithersburg or Gaithersburg residents who have been injured elsewhere.
Have You Been a Victim of Medical Malpractice?
If you've been injured in a medical malpractice case, you need to speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Gaithersburg office directly at 301.840.0404 to schedule your free consultation.
