Doctors are known as “life-savers.” When you visit your doctor, you expect them to diagnose your condition correctly, tell you what is wrong and how to fix the problem. However, when a doctor commits a mistake in one of these steps, it can prove life-threatening for the patient.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, various doctors commit medical malpractice, which harms patients physically, financially, and mentally. If you are a victim of an irresponsible doctor, you need the assistance of Philadelphia, PA personal injury attorneys to protect your rights and get justice.
Warning signs of medical negligence
- The treatment is showing no signs of improvement.
If there are no signs of improvement in your health even after your surgery, consuming the prescribed medications timely, and undergoing your doctor’s treatment plan, there are chances that you were misdiagnosed. However, if the doctor warned you before the surgery that the treatment may prove unsuccessful for you, it is not malpractice.
- Your doctor does not answer your concerns properly.
After receiving a diagnosis for a medical condition, it is common for patients to consult the doctor and ask questions about their treatment plan. If the doctor does not answer your queries correctly or seems rushed or irritated every time you visit or contact them, they are not providing you the right amount of medical attention.
- Low staff.
Various hospitals lack adequate staff. This is a concern for the hospital and the patients, as patients rely on nurses and doctors for their well-being. If there is insufficient staff, then patients’ responsibility falls on a small number of people, leading to a neglect of patients. If you are not receiving your medications, meals, and other essentials on time, or if you do not get a response when you call for help, it is a sign of medical negligence.
- Your treatment is not making sense.
Even though you are not a doctor, if you feel your treatment does not match the severity of your illness, you need to be alert. For example, your doctor may suggest non-invasive surgeries and medications for a serious illness and vice versa.
- A healthcare professional admitted their fault.
This should be your biggest sign. While “he said” or “she said” is not a strong piece of evidence, it still should be your sign to hire an attorney and investigate the situation. If a doctor or a nurse admits that they made a mistake, you should discontinue your treatment further and consult another doctor. However, a doctor will rarely admit their fault.
Identifying the signs of medical malpractice can be particularly difficult. You never know whether the doctor was negligent or if your body rejected the treatment and failed to get better. You need expert assistance in situations like this. Therefore, it is advisable to speak to an attorney instead of being confused and battling with your life.