When we go to the hospital to seek medical treatment, we never stop to think that our trusted healthcare provider may end up causing us more harm due to negligence. Today, medical malpractice is more common than we might expect. In fact, medical errors and malpractice are the third leading cause of deaths in the U.S.

In many cases, medical malpractice is blatant. Some examples of this are wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-patient surgery. However, most errors that happen are harder to prove. Below are five signs that you are a victim of malpractice.

All medical conditions have a list of certain symptoms and specific tests that can be used to make the correct diagnosis. If you notice that your doctor is not following the proper steps to diagnose you, they may be guilty of malpractice.

Your doctor can’t immediately know what is wrong with you by just looking at you. However, be vigilant and start getting concerned when you realize that it’s taking months to find out what is wrong with you. If this delay in diagnosis causes limitations in your treatment options, you may be a victim of malpractice.

Every medical treatment has side effects and risks. However, complications that are more complex and severe than expected should be further investigated. This is especially true if the complications you experience are not those you were warned may happen.

If your healthcare provider is not explaining your diagnosis or treatment procedures or answering any of your questions, you should be alarmed. It is your right as a patient to know what you are suffering from and the proposed treatment options. 

It’s best to seek a second opinion if you have any doubts about your medical care. If the second healthcare provider gives you significantly different results, you may be a victim of malpractice and negligence.

No one likes to take liability, especially if it may lead to a lawsuit. However, some doctors may explain any errors during a patient’s care and offer compensation or come up with a way to solve the mistake. If this happens to you, consult a malpractice lawyer to evaluate if the compensation on the table is enough for the harm and damages you have suffered.

One of the reasons so many patients are injured by malpractice is that the negligent parties are often not reported, which leaves them free to harm other patients. There are at least 9 types of medical malpractice that most patients fail to report - click here for more info.

If you accept a settlement that isn’t enough to cover your damages now and in the future, you may be left in debt later on. Any medical malpractice claim or lawsuit should include the following types of compensation.  

● Payment of medical expenses that are necessary to address the damages that were incurred by the patient due to the error, such as any additional surgeries or prescribed medication

● Any future medical expenses if you have been left with a permanent condition such as disability due to malpractice

● Enough compensation to cover your loss of earning potential if you have been left with a permanent disability that may prevent you from working in the future

● Payment for the pain and suffering that was incurred due to the malpractice

If a medical professional or facility’s insurer isn’t offering you enough to cover these expenses, it’s time to get a lawyer. 

Even with the advancements in medical technology today, medical malpractice and negligence still occur. This can be due to overworked hospital staff, overfull hospitals, and a lack of training. It is most often due to healthcare providers being distracted and not paying attention during procedures. 

Malpractice law can be quite complex. Most insurance companies and hospitals will offer you a settlement or a deal that is less than what is required to cover the injuries and harm that you have suffered. Once you suspect that malpractice has occurred, it’s best to consult an experienced attorney who will fight for you and ensure that you are well compensated.