If you’re in a situation where you have some power to choose your physician or your treatment plan, it’s best to weigh the pros and cons.
Not every doctor is right for you or your family. A doctor who once met your needs may no longer be in the best position to do so. An unfamiliar doctor may not have the experience to offer the best treatment.
A Doctor Who Dismisses Your Concerns
One of the most common types of medical malpractice is misdiagnosis. If your doctor isn’t listening to your concerns or taking your symptoms seriously, a misdiagnosis is more likely to occur. It’s also more likely to result in failure to order critical tests that could be required to catch a serious problem.
A Doctor Who Has Made Mistakes
A poor decision by your doctor – whether the result of incompetence, systemic lack of oversight or failure to take your concerns seriously – is a major failing. One analysis by the Mayo Clinic found 9 percent of surgeons self-reported a serious medical mistake in the previous three months – and about 2 percent said they are convinced that error led to the death of a patient.
Medical mistakes are a top cause of untimely death, according to a study by Johns Hopkins, with errors relating to cancer and heart disease being the most common. Many of these mistakes go unrecognized. If you do notice one, it could be cause for medical malpractice litigation in Alabama.
There are reasons to believe this problem may be even more widespread than was self-reported. A 2016 analysis by Johns Hopkins found medical errors to be the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
A medical mistake can cost you or a loved one your life. It can result in significant exacerbation of an illness or a loss of treatment options when a condition isn’t properly and timely diagnosed.
If you have concerns about a medical error made by your doctor or other health care provider resulting in serious injury or death, consulting with an experienced Alabama medical malpractice lawyer is essential. Contact our law firm today.
