Unfortunately, doctors, nurses, technicians, and others do not always perform their duties flawlessly or give their patients the care they are required to. Unless the injury is obvious, such as having the wrong surgical procedure done, proving medical malpractice is difficult. If you were injured or received substandard care from a medical professional, then you may have cause for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Proving Malpractice
The standard for proving medical malpractice in court is negligence, which involves proving that a medical professional breached the standard of care expected from them. A Houston medical malpractice attorney can review your case to determine if you should pursue it in court. A medical malpractice lawsuit can take time and be expensive, but if there is a good case to be made, it will be pursued.
Informed Consent
In addition to negligence, some cases of malpractice may arise if the patient was not informed about all the risks involved with the treatment they received. For instance, if their condition required surgery but the surgeon failed to disclose all the risks, then a medical malpractice attorney may file a lawsuit. Whether the procedure was successful or not, the outcome is not a basis for the defense, and you could still be awarded damages.
Damages Awarded
If a medical malpractice attorney pursues your case, then you could receive damages if the case is won. The damages could include financial damages for the time taken off work or medical or other case-related out-of-pocket expenses paid. Non-financial damages, like pain and suffering, can also be awarded by the court.
Consult with a reputable Houston medical malpractice attorney like Van Wey, Metzler & Williams if you have received substandard care or were not informed of all the possible risks of a medical procedure.
