What Exactly is Medical Malpractice in Rhode Island?
Simply put, medical malpractice is when a medical professional such as a doctor, or a facility such as a hospital, violates the standard of care and injures a patient. The violation occurs by means of negligence or an act of omission. In the US, more than 250,000 people die from medical errors every year. In fact, Rhode Island had 87 adverse actions filed against health care practitioners in 2020 alone. Some examples of malpractice include:- Surgical errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Medication errors
- Childbirth injuries
- Failure to warn of potential risks
- Failure to diagnose or misdiagnose
- Failure to consider patient history
- Poor or inadequate follow-up
- Misread test results or x-rays
- Hospital related infections
- Failure of post-operative care
- Premature discharge
How Can a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Help You?
If you are suffering an injury or the loss of a loved one due to medical malpractice, the last thing you need to worry about is trying to prove to an insurance company that you were a victim of medical neglect – without help, that is. Filing a medical malpractice claim is a complicated process that involves such things as gathering evidence, using medical experts, and interviewing witnesses. Further complicating matters is the propensity of insurance companies to offer low amounts for damages. This is where a medical malpractice lawyer can help. You need assistance to negotiate with insurance companies so you can get a fair settlement for the medical malpractice that has occured. If the claim has to be argued in court, an experienced medical malpractice firm is needed.. Your lawyer must be skillful at building a solid medical and legal case for your claim. A medical malpractice lawyer knows how to investigate what occurred, by working with other doctors to analyze your medical records, nursing notes, and can find any acts where errors or negligence occurred. Also, he or she also knows what questions to ask any witnesses. Additionally, Rhode Island has some particular rules related to medical malpractice lawsuits. One of these rules is known as “pure comparative negligence.”Pure Comparative Negligence
In cases of personal injury, Rhode Island has a rule of pure comparative negligence. This means that a jury can find the guilty party only partially at fault, with the victim sharing some of the blame for his or her injury. This results in a reduced amount of compensation for victims. Of course, if you have lost a loved one due to medical malpractice, then you can seek compensation for your loss by means of a wrongful death lawsuit. The loss of a loved one can cause an incredible amount of pain and suffering to a family. But when that loss occurs unexpectedly and due to someone else’s negligence, the trauma may be especially compounded. All this highlights the importance of having a Rhode Island medical malpractice attorney on your side. It is risky to try to navigate the complicated process of a medical malpractice claim alone.Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To Receive
Medical malpractice may cause an injury that could prove to be life-altering or even fatal. If this has occurred to you or your loved one – remember that you have rights. You do not have to suffer in silence for someone else’s negligence. The law states that you have the right to be compensated for your personal injury or loss. Compensation for loss and damages may include:- Present and future medical expenses
- Present and future lost income
- Household renovations for disabilities
- Pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Compensation for wrongful death
