People across Salt Lake City turn to their medical providers every day for advice and information. In many instances, patients suffer from illnesses and ailments that impact their health and wellbeing. Although we hope our doctors and nurses always have our best interests in mind that is not always the case. In fact, statistics from 2015 show that 15 out of every 100,000 Utah residents were involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit. In terms of the frequency of medical malpractice lawsuits, Utah ranks 42nd.
Regrettably, we are not alone in dealing with these issues. There are many instances where patients suffer irreversible damage at the hands of healthcare providers. Every year, accidents involving medical negligence claim the lives of more than 225,000 people. Hundreds of thousands more are left with severe injuries that require further medical treatment.
These incidents are often preventable, yet we continue to witness the overwhelming consequences that victims and their families are forced to endure. Given the frequency and severity of these incidents, it is crucial that victims seek legal guidance from a qualified and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible should they suffer injuries during operating, due to being provided the wrong medication, or as a result of another type of medical malpractice.
Over the years, our team at Jardine Law Offices has fought aggressively to ensure the legal rights of victims are protected after being harmed due to medical malpractice. Our team provides each client with individualized representation that accurately reflects their best interests.
We strive to help those harmed by putting together solid cases in support of their legal claims. We use strong evidence to aggressively negotiate on behalf of our clients to ensure they are able to get the justice and compensation they need and deserve. Contact our law firm at your earliest convenience to see how we can help you.
There are many instances where surgery and other medical procedures do not go as planned. Even if you do not receive the outcome you expect, this, in itself, does not mean medical malpractice played a role. Instead, medical malpractice involves instances where patients suffer illnesses or injuries due to the actions of a negligent or reckless medical professional.
The doctor, surgeon, nurse, or other care provider failed to meet the acceptable standard of care while providing you with treatment. As a result of their actions, you suffered injuries and other damages.
Patients who are harmed as a result of medical malpractice are able to file legal claims against the negligent party. In order to prevail, it is crucial that you are able to demonstrate that the four elements of negligence existed at the time of your incident. You must prove that:
A doctor-patient relationship existed at the time of your treatment. You must be able to demonstrate to the court that a doctor and patient relationship existed. This involves demonstrating that the defendant was providing you advice, care, and other treatment in a professional setting. Regardless of whether you received treatment in surgery, at a routine checkup, or in an emergency room, you need to show that you received treatment from the defendant.
Negligence occurred. You will need to show that the care provided to you failed to adhere to the acceptable standard of care. Although medical professionals all have their own opinions on how to handle various problems and illnesses, they must all align with acceptable care that other providers with similar backgrounds would provide under the same circumstances.
The negligence of the provider caused your injuries. After demonstrating that the provider acted negligently, you must further show that negligence is the cause of your injuries. It is crucial that you can clearly demonstrate the level of suffering you have been forced to endure due to the medical professional’s negligence, regardless of whether you suffer mentally, physically, or emotionally.
The injuries caused your damages. Finally, you must prove that the injury you sustained resulted in damages for you. In many cases, victims are forced to undergo further medical treatment, have to go through repeat surgeries, and receive other care that is both painful and costly. Demonstrating the economic and non-economic damages you face moving forward is critical when it comes to your ability to recover.
The negative consequences of being injured by a negligent medical provider do not disappear overnight. In many cases, victims have to go through months of treatment while dealing with towering medical costs and a variety of other damages that negatively impact their lives as well as their families. It is crucial that victims act quickly after being injured as a result of medical malpractice. Taking swift action to pursue legal options can help to ensure you are able to recover.
Medical malpractice can take a variety of shapes and impact patients in many different ways. Regardless of what stage you are in treatment, it is crucial that you receive care that is up to acceptable standards. It is crucial that you are timely diagnosed, treated accurately, and in the best position possible to recover from your illness or injury. Regrettably, medical malpractice continues to impact the lives of thousands of people across our state. Some types of medical malpractice in Utah include:
Patients often require timely and accurate medical care that is specific to the injury or illness they are dealing with. When they do not receive adequate and accurate care, the results can be catastrophic.
Most people who go to hospitals do so to receive emergency medical attention for illnesses and injuries. In many cases, time-sensitive diagnoses are critical. In addition to receiving a timely and accurate diagnosis, patients expect to receive top-quality care. Regrettably, this is not always the case. There are many instances where patients receive subpar medical treatment from overworked medical professionals.
Rather than receiving the emergency care patients need and deserve, there are many instances where they are forced to suffer due to negligence. In some cases, injured parties can pursue legal options available to them to hold the hospitals accountable. Some of the negligent actions our team helps victims recover from in Utah include:
Hospitals are charged with hiring competent and trusted medical professionals to provide care to patients. When hospitals act negligently during the hiring process, they can be held liable for the injuries and damages sustained by patients. Hospitals, in their entirety, can share liability with negligent doctors, nurses, surgeons, and other care providers who are employed at their facilities. Should you be injured while in a hospital, it is crucial that you reach out to a medical malpractice attorney in Salt Lake City as soon as possible.
It is crucial that patients receive an accurate and timely diagnosis for illnesses, injuries, and various other conditions they are dealing with. Not having an adequate diagnosis can result in patients suffering unnecessarily. In some cases, the consequences can be life-threatening. Having to deal with pain and suffering due to an untimely and inaccurate diagnosis can result in permanent impairments or death. When victims are forced to suffer unnecessarily due to the negligence of medical professionals, they may be entitled to compensation from at-fault parties.
In order to prevail on a personal injury lawsuit surrounding a misdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis, victims must be able to demonstrate that various circumstances existed. These include showing:
The medical professional failed to listen to you. If you sought medical attention due to an illness or an injury, and you explained your symptoms to the doctor and other things you are experiencing, and your doctor failed to examine you and make accurate recommendations for treatment, they can be held responsible for your resulting damages. Doctors who do not listen to patients’ symptoms miss ordering testing that is critical for the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and conditions.
Failing to recognize symptoms. Doctors go through years of training and expanding their knowledge surrounding illnesses and injuries patients sustain. An extensive part of their training involves learning how to recognize symptoms and make accurate diagnoses in patients. If doctors do not accurately diagnose your illness, despite knowing all of the symptoms you are having that directly indicate you are suffering from a specific illness, they can be held liable for the resulting injuries and damages you sustain.
When doctors fail to examine medical history. Doctors must review the medical history of patients, including their family medical history when providing them with an examination. This is particularly critical when victims are experiencing symptoms and discomfort. When medical professionals fail to review medical records in order to make timely and accurate diagnoses for patients, patients may experience worsening symptoms. If your doctor failed to review your record after you spoke out about concerns and symptoms you have, they may be liable for your injuries and damages.
Ordering the wrong tests. When doctors do not order accurate tests after being told symptoms by the patient, it can lead to a delayed or missed diagnosis. In these cases, patients are unable to get the treatment they need and deserve.
Failing to interpret tests accurately. After receiving testing, it is crucial that they are accurately interpreted so patients can begin treatment for their injuries or illnesses. When the tests are not accurately interpreted, patients go without the treatment they need, which can worsen their conditions.
Patients who are not accurately and timely diagnosed with their injuries and illnesses can result in the worsening of symptoms. In some cases, victims end up passing away due to their illnesses. If you have been injured, or your loved one lost their life, due to the misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, contact our medical malpractice attorneys in Utah to see how we can help you.
Medical negligence is something that impacts the lives of tens of thousands of people across Utah each year. These incidents are often life-altering, leaving victims with painful injuries that impact their health and wellbeing. Although we entrust our lives to these trained professionals, many doctors, nurses, physicians, and other medical providers continue to cause harm to innocent victims.
In many cases, victims have to spend tens of thousands of dollars on additional medical care they need for their injuries. When victims are injured in accidents caused by the negligent and reckless actions of their care providers, it is crucial that they seek legal guidance from a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney in Salt Lake City as soon as possible. Victims may have legal options available to help them hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions.
We at Jardine Law Offices have decades of experience helping victims throughout Utah hold negligent and reckless medical professionals accountable for their actions. Our team provides responsive and effective representation to ensure injured patients are able to maximize their recoveries.
If you have been injured as a result of a negligent or reckless medical professional, contact our Salt Lake City medical malpractice accident attorneys at (801) 350-3506. Schedule a free case evaluation with our team at your earliest convenience to explore the legal options available for you.
