Medical malpractice claims come in many forms and varieties. One type that people don’t always think about relates to “erroneous treatment.” This happens when a doctor gives a patient the wrong kind of treatment. This might happen as a result of a misdiagnosis or a failed diagnosis. If the errors made by a doctor in these cases would have been obvious to other doctors in the field, then it might be possible for the patient to pursue an erroneous treatment claim.
Fortunately, in most cases of erroneous treatment, no serious harm or injuries occur. But in cases where the patient suffers a serious injury as a result of the wrong treatment, a viable cause of action to pursue financial compensation likely exists. Of course, if the patient also develops injuries because his or her actual condition remains untreated, the patient’s personal injury claim needs to address this.
Most erroneous treatments involve a misdiagnosis. But also, doctors might diagnose the condition correctly, but treat it inappropriately. Or, a doctor might try a form of treatment that doesn’t work when a more conventional approach would be more appropriate.
There are no guarantees when you go to a medical doctor. Human beings don’t respond to the same treatments in the same ways. However, if the doctor’s actions clearly fall outside of the limits of the standard of care applied by reasonable physicians in the field — then it’s likely that medical malpractice has occurred.
Did a doctor treat you or a family member inappropriately? Our law firm would like to listen to your story and advise you of the next steps you can take to protect your legal rights.