Columbus Medical Malpractice Lawyer
When you or a loved one is injured, sick, or otherwise needs medical treatment, you place a special kind of trust in your doctors, nurses, and other medical specialists. Many medical professionals are capable, highly-trained individuals who work hard for the health of their patients. However, medical mistakes can occur, and when they do, can have devastating consequences.
Medical malpractice takes place when a health care provider’s treatment falls below the accepted standard of care in the medical community, therefore placing the patient at risk of serious injury or death. Generally, if a medical professional fails to act the way others with similar training would have, the doctor, nurse, or other health care provider may be held liable for any resulting injuries and other losses.
Medical malpractice lawsuits involve two intertwining areas of expertise: law and medicine. These cases are inherently complex and may require the assistance of a dynamic team that includes a Columbus medical malpractice lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney could you help you recover the damages that you deserve.
How Informed Consent Impacts Medical Malpractice Cases
Doctors and medical professionals generally must inform their patients about any risks involved in a procedure or treatment, also known as informed consent. If a doctor does not obtain informed consent from a patient, and the patient is injured because of the procedure, the doctor may be held liable for damages.
Most medical procedures or treatments involve some sort of risk. The doctor becomes responsible for providing the patient with information about the risks of the treatment or procedure, so the patient can make an educated decision on whether to go through with it.
Doctors typically require patients to sign a consent form that details the risks and gives a brief overview of what they are going to be subjected to. However, signing the form alone does not prove the patient gave the doctor informed consent. The doctor also consults with the patient to discuss the procedure and the risks associated, which provides him or her understanding about the risks involved.
When Columbus Hospitals Are Liable
If a patient is injured while receiving treatment in a hospital, the medical facility where the injury occurred may be held accountable for inept care provided by medical professionals such as nurses and medical technicians.
Generally, nurses, medical technicians, and support staff are considered hospital employees. The hospital may be liable if the employee injures a patient by acting negligently or without reasonable care. However, certain exceptions can apply to the level of negligence. Not every mistake or unfortunate event that occurs can be subjected to a claim. A seasoned Columbus medical malpractice lawyer will know if the hospital was liable or not.
Are Hospitals Liable for a Doctor’s Medical Malpractice?
Determining whether the medical institution can be held liable when a physician acts negligently and causes harm to the patient depends on the nature of the doctor’s relationship with the hospital.
Some doctors are hospital employees while a growing number are classified as independent contractors. In the eyes of the law, the hospital is generally not liable for the doctor’s negligent actions unless the doctor is an employee of the medical establishment.
For instance, if the hospital controls the physician’s working hours and sets the fees the doctors can charge their patients, they may be considered employees. Even if a hospital is not typically liable for a doctor’s malpractice, considering he or she is an independent contractor, a hospital may be liable in certain situations. For more information about medical malpractice, consult with a dedicated attorney.
Speak with Columbus Medical Malpractice Attorney
In cases where medical malpractice causes severe injuries or death, it may be crucial to obtain advice or legal representation from a skilled Columbus medical malpractice lawyer. Let a passionate team of legal professionals and medical experts fight for you.
Because medical malpractice law is highly regulated by a complex set of rules, a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney in Columbus could assist in working to build a case around your unique situation. Call today to set up a free consultation with a law firm that has an in-house doctor who could provide medical insight into your injury.
