Medical Malpractice and Delayed Treatment
Medical malpractice is a legal term used to describe subpar medical care, or that which fails to meet a recognized standard of care. The experienced attorneys at Younker Hyde Macfarlane rely on experts in the field when building a strong medical malpractice case. Essentially, it comes down to asking, “would this patient have received the same standard of care from another medical professional with the same training?”
Medical malpractice can refer to treatment, medical prescriptions, or diagnosis. Here, we discuss medical malpractice as it relates to delayed treatment, along with the options available to our Salt Lake City, UT clients.
Damages Related to Delayed Treatment
Medical malpractice only applies to situations in which the patient received care that was sub-standard to the care he or she would have received from a similarly trained medical professional who was dealing with the same circumstances.
However, there is one other factor that must be met in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The negligent medical care that the patient received must also result in damages for the patient. If the patient did not suffer unnecessarily as a result of negligent medical care, then there are no grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Medical malpractice can actually harm a patient in a number of ways. Below, we go over the types of damages that are most likely to be related to medical malpractice in the form of delayed treatment:
- Worsening of the condition: Many types of illnesses and diseases are progressive, which makes it important to diagnose conditions and begin treatment as soon as possible. If a patient is suffering from a disease, such as cancer, that can worsen and progress due to delayed treatment, that is strong grounds for medical malpractice.
- Limited treatment options: Not only can diseases and illnesses worsen with time, but the worse that they get, the fewer treatment options a patient may have. If treatment is not administered in a timely manner, the patient may face serious limitations regarding treatment methods. Missing the window of opportunity for certain treatment methods, or compromising the effectiveness of treatment due to time delays, are both reasons to consider a medical malpractice lawsuit.
- Prolonged suffering: Even if a patient is able to be treated or cured after receiving delayed treatment, he or she may still be due compensation for damages. If delayed treatment caused the patient to suffer (either physically or mentally) longer than was necessary, that can be considered medical malpractice.
Seeking Compensation
It is not advisable to seek financial compensation for medical malpractice without an experienced lawyer on your side. The attorneys at Younker Hyde Macfarlane work with medical experts in the field who help us gather the evidence and testimony we need to prove medical malpractice.
Depending on the details of each case, victims of medical malpractice may be due compensation for a full range of losses related to delayed treatment, including the cost of additional medical expenses, lost wages due to extra time away from work, and prolonged pain and suffering. Our attorneys consider all avenues of loss to ensure our clients are compensated to the maximum extent of the law.
Learn More
If you believe that your medical treatment was delayed as a result of negligence, you may be due compensation for damages. Contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more about your legal rights regarding medical malpractice and delayed treatment. Call (801) 335-7025 to set up a consultation with one of the experienced attorneys at Younker Hyde Macfarlane.