What You Need to Know about Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
In August of this year, a man sued the George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. for medical malpractice. According to documents that were filed with the D.C. Superior Court, the plaintiff alleges that a nurse improperly removed a catheter when he was hospitalized for an aneurysm in 2016. As a result, a piece of the device was left in his body.
The complaint further states that after the plaintiff was discharged, he began to have difficultly eating, maintaining nutrition and maintaining hydration. He also began to suffer from abdominal pain and discomfort.
Although the man returned to the hospital twice, the staff ultimately diagnosed him with impacted bowels. Court documents also indicate that it wasn’t until he sought a second opinion, from a different hospital, that doctors discovered a piece of the catheter had been left in his body.
The plaintiff is seeking $2M in damages.
What to do if you think you have a claim
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of medical malpractice, you’ll want to contact a personal injury attorney right away. The rules for filing this type of lawsuit vary from state-to-state, but some rules are standard regardless as to where in the country you live.
A Naples personal injury attorney can help you understand what you’ll need to do to pursue a case in Florida.
You’ll need to prove the doctor-patient relationship was in effect
First, you’ll need to show you were a patient of the doctor (or practice) you’re wanting to file medical malpractice case against. If a surgeon mistakenly left a surgical sponge in your abdomen after a procedure, and you suffered as a result, you can’t sue a surgeon at a different, more successful practice.
You’ll need to prove negligence and harm
Second, you’ll need to show that the doctor was negligent in your care, and that a more competent doctor wouldn’t have made the same mistake. You’ll also need to show you suffered harm as a result of the doctor’s mistake. Using the above example, if you’re re-hospitalized as a result of the surgical sponge, this would be proof that you suffered harm as a result of the surgeon’s negligence.
Naples Florida law firm for medical malpractice lawsuits
If you’ve suffered as a result of medical malpractice and you have questions about whether you have a case, call The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.