What Is Medical Malpractice?

When you go to your doctor for help, or when you register at the hospital for a procedure, you are putting your health in the hands of professionals. While the majority of medical appointments, procedures, diagnoses, and surgeries result in success, there are times when a patient leaves while dealing with the repercussions of the mistake.

Often, patients who endure a mistake in diagnosis, treatment, or procedure don’t realize they could have a medical malpractice case. Pursuing a medical malpractice settlement not only gives the patient compensation they need to get further treatments or to support themselves while unable to work, but a medical malpractice case can also change systems so that the same mistake does not happen again to another person.

What is Medical Malpractice?

In Illinois, medical malpractice cases hinge on the patient being able to prove negligence that resulted in further injury. There needs to be proof that a professional or institution did not follow the standard of care while treating the patient.

It is important to keep in mind that medical malpractice may not come into play if there were complications during a risky procedure or treatment. Instead, malpractice means the professional or institution showed negligence and did not follow the general standard of care for that particular patient in that particular situation.

How Do I Know If It Was Malpractice?

If you are wondering if you are the victim of medical malpractice, time is of the essence. In Illinois, there is a two-year statute of limitations on malpractice suits. This means you have two years to file a case for malpractice beginning at the time of the incident.

If you are within the two years of the incident, and you believe there was negligence or a poor standard of care in your treatment, it is important to work with an experienced Illinois malpractice attorney. Your attorney will partner with you to learn more about your situation and what happened during the treatment and subsequently. Your attorney will then determine if you have a good chance of proving negligence and malpractice.

The offices of O’Brien Law are well prepared to handle your malpractice query. Call today or contact us online to talk more about your situation. We would be honored to advocate for your best interests.