Did you know that medical malpractice lawsuits are quite different in practically all respects from other lawsuits? If you did not know this, read on the article to get details about these lawsuits.
Medical malpractice refers to the failure of a healthcare provider to provide accepted standards of service. If the healthcare provider deviates in any respect from the norms of treating a patient, it is termed as medical malpractice. This failure or deviation is very dangerous for a patient as it can cause injury to him, or in extreme cases lead to the patient's death. This means that medical practice is nothing but professional negligence on the part of the healthcare provider.
Just like in other lawsuits, even in medical malpractice lawsuits there is a plaintiff and defendant. The plaintiff will be the patient, while the defendant is the healthcare provider, who can be a doctor, physician, therapist or dentist. In case the malpractice led to the patient's demise, the plaintiff's role is assumed by an individual who is the administrator or executor of the deceased patient's estate.
Even a hospital, clinic or medical center can be sued for medical malpractice. Depending on the gravity of the case, managed care organizations or medical corporations can be defendants too. Even nurses can be liable as previous cases have shown us that non-physicians cannot be protected for just following orders.
A medical malpractice lawsuit should prove that the medical treatment or care that was supposed to be given or undertaken by the healthcare provider was not done so. In addition, it must also be proven that the healthcare provider failed to perform his or her duties according to the prescribed standards. The case should further prove that the duties performed by the healthcare provider were breached. All this can be done by sworn testimony or proved results of obvious errors.
Medical malpractice cases are similar to tort cases. The plaintiff's attorney first files the lawsuit. The time between the filing and the trial is then used for sharing information between the concerned parties. This period involves depositions, interrogations and requests for documents. If the two parties cannot come to a mutual understanding, the case then proceeds for trial.
In the trial, it is important to have expert witnesses who should have enough training, education and knowledge about the specific medical issue. It is only then they can qualify as experts witnesses. If the plaintiff wins the case, he can be awarded punitive as well as compensatory damages.
About Author: Pauline Go is an online leading expert in medical industry. She also offers top quality finance tips like:
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