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April 2015 Archives

California attorney guides patients in medical malpractice claims

There are many factors to consider before pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit in California. In a recent post, this blog reported on the documentation that may be important to help a claimant prove his or her case. If a doctor prescribed a dangerous combination of prescriptions or made a dosage mistake, it is imperative to have records to document this in court.

New bill may change evidence in medical malpractice lawsuits

Doctors, surgeons, nurses and other medical professionals are heavily relied. When California residents suffer an injury or are ill, medical professionals are trusted to help diagnose and treat them. While these professionals often successfully treat patients, this is unfortunately not the case. A negligent doctor could easily result in serious medical issues such as injuries, illnesses and even death. A medical professional could be held accountable for the harm they cause a patient.

What documents are important for a medical malpractice claim?

Current medical treatment involves a great deal of documentation, which is an important part of the current medical system. Documentation of the care and treatment given by physicians and nurses, as well as medications that are administered, including dosage information, and insurance records must be kept up-to-date. This documentation becomes essential if a patient is injured due to doctor error or other medical error and decides to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Hospital negligence may be due to direct or vicarious liability

A patient who suffers an injury while being treated at a hospital may have been the victim of medical malpractice. Patients may anticipate that they will emerge from a California hospital in better shape than when they entered, but unfortunately, due to doctor error or hospital negligence, this may not be the case.

What if I didn't give my doctor informed consent in California?

Doctors are often required to obtain informed consent from a patient prior to treating that patient. Informed consent occurs when a patient provides his or her written consent to a course of treatment after the medical provider informs the patient of the risks, benefits and possible alternative procedures. Informed consent is a critical touchstone of proper patient care based on the underlying premise that patients should have decision-making power over their medical treatment, and medical providers ought to disclose all information necessary for a patient to make an informed and responsible decision.