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Proving negligence in a medical malpractice claim

On Behalf of | Jan 11, 2022 | Medical Malpractice

Unlike other personal injury claims, proving negligence in medical malpractice is not as straightforward. This is due to the complexities involved in the world of medicine. Not everyone is well-versed in medical terminologies and procedures, which most such cases entail.

If you are among the thousands of Americans who fall victim to negligence by health practitioners every year, it is essential to know what to expect in your pursuit of justice. First, it is important to remember that the burden of proof is on you to prove that the doctor’s negligence led to your injuries.

How to go about it

You should first start by showing the existence of a patient-doctor relationship. Establishing this means that the doctor owed you a duty of care. The next bit is perhaps the most complicated – showing that the doctor was negligent in their actions.

To prove negligence, you need to show that the doctor did not accord you the expected reasonable and skilled care when discharging their duties. For example, would another equally qualified doctor have treated you in the same way given similar circumstances? Sometimes, expert testimony is required to show that your doctor or health practitioner was negligent. Usually, the expert is someone conversant enough with the medical world to provide an objective opinion and help the court arrive at a decision.

Medical malpractice claims are very serious

If the healthcare practitioner is found responsible for negligence, they risk losing their practicing license, which is why they are likely to counter your claims strongly. Therefore, it is necessary to be well prepared with all the information you need before taking any legal action. That way, you will know what to expect along the way and protect your rights to the very end.