In Michigan, doctors are required by federal law to provide the highest standard of care to all patients. If the doctor doesn’t provide proper care to the patient, they are liable for injuries that occur. Patients who are injured by their doctor’s treatments can seek damages through a personal injury attorney in Grand Rapids, MI.
What Type of Injury Occurred?
The type of injury and how it happened to the patient will determine if a victim has a viable claim. Common causes of medical injuries are surgical errors, misdiagnoses, outdated testing or treatments, and administering the wrong medications.
Was the Condition a Disclosed Risk?
Before any surgical procedure, the doctor must disclose all possible risks to the patient. By having all the information, the patient decides if the risks are worth the potential outcome of the procedure. If the injuries weren’t a disclosed risk, the doctor might be liable.
Was the Doctor Impaired?
Doctors work extended schedules and are often exhausted during procedures. The physical or mental state of the doctor often leads to mistakes and serious injuries. The law prohibits doctors from performing surgery when they are impaired. If it is discovered that the doctor was somehow impaired, they are liable for any injuries. For this reason, the doctor is tested for drugs and alcohol by the hospital board at any time that an avoidable injury is reported. The findings could increase the doctor’s liability and make their actions criminal.
Could the Action Be Labeled an Act of Malice?
An act of malice is defined by intent. A doctor that treats a patient and deliberately hurts the patient based on prejudice or personal opinions is liable for the results. A potential act of malice is exactly why doctors aren’t allowed to provide medical treatment for former romantic partners or family members. Doctors who have a prejudice against a patient are required to recuse themselves from the case.
In Michigan, doctors face a medical malpractice claim if they cause an injury to a patient. The circumstances of the injury determine the doctor’s liability. Patients who want to learn more about filing a claim can contact a personal injury attorney in Grand Rapids, MI through Bleakley Law Offices, P.C. right now.
