How Do I Know If My Injury Constitutes Medical Malpractice?
Medical professionals are not expected to be infallible and there may be poor results from treatment that do not amount to malpractice. Medical professionals are expected to exercise the basic knowledge, skills, and care ordinarily possessed and exercised by other members of the profession acting under similar conditions and circumstances. This basic knowledge and skill is called a standard of practice, or standard of care. When a medical professional treats a patient and fails to use this basic knowledge, skill, and care whether the failure consists of doing something incorrectly, or failing to do something that should be done, that failure is a deviation from the standard of practice or care.
To prove that a physician or other health care provider has been negligent, the patient must introduce evidence showing the patient`s condition which prompted the need for medical care; the defendant`s conduct and why it was negligent; the appropriate care which the patient should have received; and the injury caused to the patient by the negligent medical care. Expert testimony is generally required to establish a breach of the standard of care, unless negligence can be inferred by the facts. An expert must be licensed in the state and familiar with the applicable standard of care as it relates to the subject of the claim.
Other Colorado Medical Malpractice FAQs
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What Happens If I Am Injured In The Course Of Medical Treatment?
A: If a medical professional makes an error that results in injury to the patient, the patient may be able to sue the negligent party or parties for monetary damages to … More -
Q:
Is There A Time Limit In Which I Need To File A Lawsuit For Medical Malpractice?
A: Yes, there is and that time limit is referred to as the statute of limitations. Failure to file suit within this time frame prevents you from filing suit at all. An … More -
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Who Can Be Held Accountable For The Medical Malpractice?
A: Generally, a medical malpractice claim can be brought against a licensed health care provider. This can include a person, corporation or institution licensed by the … More -
Q:
How Much Can I Expect An Attorney To Charge To Handle A Medical Malpractice Case?
A: Most attorneys who believe a case has merit will take the case without payment up front. They will take the case on a contingency basis, which means they will receive … More -
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What Damages Can Be Recovered For Medical Malpractice?
A: An injured plaintiff is entitled to recover money damages to compensate him or her for all of the harm caused by the defendant`s negligence. The law recognizes three … More -
Q:
Does Colorado Require That Claims Be Arbitrated Prior To Litigation?
A: Colorado does not require claims of medical malpractice be arbitrated absent the parties` agreement to arbitrate. Many hospitals and doctors have patients sign an … More -
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Anesthesia Negligence
A: Injury may occur when anesthesia is improperly given or not given in a timely manner to a patient. Medical malpractice is essentially the failure of a health care … More -
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Asthma/Respiratory Illnesses
A: Asthma may occur in one life anywhere childhood to adulthood. Improper treatment of asthma could include the failure of the physician to place the patient on an … More -
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Birth Defects Or Injuries
A: Most births and deliveries are handled appropriately by medical care professionals. However, medical negligence can occur during pregnancy. Sometimes physicians may … More -
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Misdiagnosis
A: Medical malpractice is essentially the failure of a medical provider (including doctors, pharmacists, radiologists, laboratory technicians and doctors) to use … More
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