Throughout the course of an illness or other medical procedure, a patient could interact with many healthcare providers. These providers could be nurses, doctors, pharmacists, therapists, or other professionals. Contributing factors should be considered when determining who was at fault for any medical error that occurs.
For instance, if the wrong prescription was prescribed, it could have been the fault of the doctor who failed to review the patient’s current list of other medications, or it could have been the responsibility of a nurse who mistakenly wrote down the wrong medication or dosage in the patient’s medical chart.
It could also be the responsibility of the pharmacist who may have made an error when filling the prescription with the dosage or medication itself. The hospital or medical facility itself could be liable if it did not have appropriate protocols in place to prevent such prescription errors. Your medical malpractice lawyer in Philadelphia will evaluate your case to determine who are the parties liable and then file the appropriate legal action.
What damages can be collected in a malpractice lawsuit?
Once the responsible party or parties has been identified, they may have to pay the injured patient for damages incurred as a result of the negligent care. For less severe cases in which the patient did not suffer serious injuries, the case may be concluded quickly with all parties able to reach a fair and agreeable settlement.
However, for more cases involving more serious injury, the damages can be quite extensive and could include compensation for medical treatment needed due to the injuries incurred, lost wages, and more significant pain and suffering. In certain extreme cases involving gross misconduct on the part of a medical professional, punitive damages may be awarded as a way to punish those responsible.
What steps should you take?
If you believe you may have been the victim of medical malpractice, the first step is finding a skillful Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer to evaluate your case. The lawyer will determine if there was indeed malpractice committed and what type of financial compensation you are entitled to. At Wieand Law Firm, our legal team is dedicated to advocating for injured patients to ensure they get the financial justice they deserve. Call our office today to find out how we can help you.
