Healthcare Professionals That Can Engage In Medical Malpractice
Simply put, medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional or provider negligently injures a patient. For example, if a healthcare professional neglects to provide necessary treatment to a patient, only for the patient to suffer an injury, they may be guilty of medical malpractice. Also, if a healthcare professional provides inadequate treatment to a patient that results in injury or death, they may be guilty of medical malpractice.
On the surface, it might look like the term “healthcare professional/provider” means “doctor.” The reality is that medical malpractice or medical negligence can be committed by different healthcare professionals or providers, including nurses and nursing assistants. While most medical malpractice cases involve doctors, it is not uncommon for a medical malpractice case to involve another healthcare professional or provider. Therefore, if you believe you have fallen victim to medical malpractice, and you don’t think your doctor did anything negligent, the chances are, another healthcare professional is liable for your injuries. If you are a victim of medical malpractice, it is crucial that you speak to a skilled medical malpractice attorney who can help you determine who is liable for your injuries, hold the at-fault party accountable, and help you receive the compensation you deserve.
It is vital to note that medical malpractice also involves different types of errors caused by different types of healthcare providers. These errors include treatment errors, medication errors, among many others. Below is a look at some healthcare professionals, apart from doctors, that can engage in medical malpractice and the different types of mistakes that different healthcare professionals can commit.
Healthcare Providers That Can Engage in Medical Malpractice
As already mentioned, many types of healthcare providers may face medical malpractice charges, apart from doctors. Below is a list of other healthcare providers that can commit medical malpractice. The following is not an exhaustive list.
- Nurses
- Nursing assistants
- Nurse practitioners
- Pharmacists
Nurses, Nursing Assistants, and Nursing Practitioners
Nurses, nursing assistants, and nurse practitioners can commit, among many others, the following errors;
- Failing to effectively supervise or treat a patient
- Errors in administering medication to a patient
- Failing to call a doctor when they are supposed to call them
- Failing to inform a doctor about a complaint from a patient
- Ignoring symptoms of injury, heart attack, or stroke
- Mistreating a patient
- Failing to effectively respond to a patient’s needs
Pharmacists
Pharmacists can commit, among many others, the following errors;
- Failing to screen the collection of several medications prescribed by different doctors
- Giving a patient the wrong drug
- Failing to take a patient’s medical history into account
- Failing to advise a patient on potentially dangerous side effects of a drug
Proving Medical Malpractice
In order for you to prove medical malpractice and recover compensation for your injuries and damages, you must show that the healthcare provider owed you a duty of care. This is regardless of which type of healthcare provider we are talking about. Next, you must show that the healthcare provider breached that duty of care. A pharmacist, for example, breaches their duty of care when they fail to advise a patient on potentially dangerous side effects of a drug. After showing that a healthcare professional or provider breached their duty of care, you must show that their breach caused your injury. Lastly, you need to show that your injury resulted in damages. Some of the common damages that follow after a patient suffers an injury due to medical negligence include;
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
All healthcare professionals or providers must abide by a certain standard of medical care. A healthcare professional or provider who fails to comply with the set standard of care must be held accountable. Regardless of which type of medical professional is liable for your injuries, they will be held to the standard of care of a reasonably prudent healthcare provider acting under similar circumstances. A healthcare provider who breaches the standard of care and causes severe injuries to a patient can be deemed negligent and made to compensate the victim for their injuries and damages.
It is crucial to note that if a healthcare provider who acts negligently and causes harm to a patient is an employee of a medical facility, the medical facility itself may face liability. This is because, under Florida agency law, medical facilities may be held responsible if their employees commit negligent acts that lead to patients suffering injuries when those employees are acting within the scope of their employment.
Contact a Naples Medical Malpractice Attorney
The Naples personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., have experience dealing with medical malpractice cases and can help you hold an at-fault party accountable and recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at 239-649-8050 to schedule a free consultation.
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