Any type of surgery or major procedure comes with risks. Even a routine test can result in medical mistakes that can put your health at risk. One of the most serious medical problems that can result from medical malpractice is paralysis. Because surgery is such an invasive procedure, it leaves the patient at risk for a variety for ailments.
Paralysis is a tragic error that can be caused by the negligence of doctors, nurses and other hospital staff. If you believe that your paralysis was caused by medical negligence, you should contact a Brooklyn medical malpractice lawyer and seek advice about filing a lawsuit.
What to Do When Medical Malpractice Occurs
There are several situations that could result in paralysis, including:
- being misdiagnosed with a condition and undergoing a procedure that caused paralysis;
- undergoing surgery in which a mistake injured your spine, resulting in paralysis; or
- a machine malfunctioned, or the doctor misused a medical instrument during the surgery, causing spine problems and paralysis.
It can be hard to prove that you have a valid medical malpractice case, and most of the time, judges settle in favor of the doctor. Therefore, it is especially critical to have the help of an experienced Brooklyn medical malpractice lawyer to make sure your case is represented fairly.
Proving Negligence in Your Medical Malpractice Case
In order to receive compensation for your paralysis, you must be able to prove negligence on behalf of the doctor or medical staff. Doctors are obligated to treat patients to the best of their ability while meeting an established standard of care. To prove negligence, you must be able to demonstrate that the doctor’s actions, or lack action, deviated from the accepted standard of care and that this lack of standard resulted in your paralysis.
If you can prove this, you may have a solid medical malpractice case. A Brooklyn medical malpractice lawyer can help you determine the types of compensation you are eligible to receive. You may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earnings and pain and suffering.
Expert Witnesses Help Malpractice Cases
Medical malpractice cases most often use expert witnesses to determine whether a doctor acted negligently. Doctors in the same field as the accused doctor will prove to the court whether or not the doctor fell below the accepted standard of care. Doctors do this by examining all the medical records and details. They use this information to form a professional opinion as to whether a patient with the same background (such as age and symptoms) would have suffered from paralysis had he or she undergone the same procedure.
Contacting a Brooklyn Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Medical malpractice cases can be lengthy and difficult to win. It can take a lot of research and expert testimony to prove your case. The other side will argue their case and try to prove that the doctor did not cause the paralysis. However, having a knowledgeable lawyer on your side will help preserve your rights.
If you suffer from paralysis caused by medical malpractice, talk to a Brooklyn medical malpractice lawyer from Gacovino Lake & Associates about a free consultation. They are experienced at handling a wide range of medical malpractice cases. Contact us at 1-800-246-4878 and have them review your case.