what type of lawyer handles mistreatment from doctor

by Tamara Kautzer 5 min read

If you (or a loved one) suffered an injury based on a bad diagnosis, botched surgery, doctor fraud, prescription error, or breach of doctor-patient confidentiality, a medical malpractice lawyer can help. Medical malpractice lawyers may also defend you if you are a medical professional who was sued for malpractice.

medical malpractice lawyer

Full Answer

How can a medical malpractice lawyer help you?

You've come to the right place. If you (or a loved one) suffered an injury based on a bad diagnosis, botched surgery, doctor fraud, prescription error, or breach of doctor-patient confidentiality, a medical malpractice lawyer can help. Medical malpractice lawyers may also defend you if you are a medical professional who was sued for malpractice. Use FindLaw to hire a local medical …

Can a doctor refuse to treat a patient with medical malpractice?

A mental health malpractice claim may arise when a mental health practitioner (e.g., a psychiatrist) treats their patient in a negligent manner or abuses the power that they have over them as a professional. Mental health malpractice claims can be very broad and thus may include many different types of issues or cover various sorts of misconduct.

Can the largest plaintiff’s law firm take on a medical malpractice case?

Jun 07, 2018 · A nurse or technician giving a patient the wrong medication or an improper dosage. Negligent care in an operation, such as leaving an object in the patient’s body. A health worker administering medication when they knew or should have known that the patient may have an allergic reaction. Improper treatment/dressing of wounds.

What kind of lawyers do personal injury lawyers work on?

Sep 29, 2020 · Doctors do occasionally make mistakes, and if you’re facing the consequences of a medical mistake such as a medical misdiagnosis or inaccurate treatment, a lawyer who specializes in medical malpractice issues can be particular helpful. Tax Lawyer Getting into trouble with the IRS is no fun.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice takes place when a healthcare provider provides treatment that falls below the accepted standard of care in the medical communi...

Examples of Medical Malpractice

Patients can be victims of medical malpractice in a variety of different ways. Below are some examples.Anesthesia ErrorsAnesthesia errors are one a...

How Do You Know If You Have A Medical Malpractice Case?

You might be asking yourself, “How do I know if I have a medical malpractice case?” or “How Can I Prove a Medical Malpractice Case?” If you’re cons...

Damages in A Medical Malpractice Case

Although we touched on medical malpractice damages above, here is some more detailed information on the type of damages in a medical malpractice ca...

What Does A Medical Malpractice Attorney do?

If you’ve determined that you might have a medical malpractice case, you probably have some questions: How do I choose a good attorney and what can...

How Long Do You Have to File A Lawsuit For Medical Malpractice?

Under laws in certain states, a statute of limitations limits the amount of time under which an injured patient may pursue a medical malpractice la...

Why Morgan & Morgan Has Won Millions For Injured Patients

Our attorneys at Morgan & Morgan have recovered millions of dollars for injured patients, because we’ve been doing this a long time. We know what t...

What Is usually Claimed in Mental Health Malpractice Cases?

The following are the most commonly associated claims in successful mental health malpractice cases: 1. Sexual impropriety 2. Incorrect treatment 3...

Are There Any Defenses to Mental Health Malpractice?

The same defenses for a medical malpractice case often work for mental health malpractice as well. The most common defenses are: 1. Statute of Limi...

Should I Contact A Personal Injury Attorney?

If you have suffered from injuries as a result of mental health visits, or have been accused of mental health malpractice, the advice and counsel o...

Why do we need malpractice lawyers?

Since these are professions that ascribe to a set of standards , they have greater professional responsibilities that may be challenged in the courtroom or in litigation.

What kind of lawyer handles reproductive rights?

But family attorneys may also handle reproductive rights cases, and their work may intersect with other areas of the law. For instance, if there’s a criminal investigation of child abuse or a domestic violence case, or if there’s a juvenile delinquency case, a family lawyer may also work with a criminal lawyer. 3. Estate Planning Lawyers.

What is a family lawyer?

Family Lawyers. These are lawyers who handle all kinds of domestic cases, such as divorce, legal separation, child custody, adoption, paternity, alimony, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, and emancipation. But family attorneys may also handle reproductive rights cases, and their work may intersect with other areas of the law.

What do lawyers do?

Different types of lawyers specialize in different areas of law. Some lawyers mostly do the work outside of the courtroom, such as drafting contracts and wills, preparing documents to comply with a process, negotiating deals, and advising clients on a legal problem. There are also lawyers who present cases in court or litigations ...

What is a real estate lawyer?

Real estate lawyers provide legal guidance for individuals or companies seeking to buy or sell a property. They work with their clients and the real estate agents to draft documents and ensure that the paperwork is legally binding. They may also negotiate for the buyer or seller, or represent a property owner during a foreclosure dispute.

What do IP lawyers need to know?

They need to have expert knowledge in both business and innovation trends. IP lawyers may also negotiate settlements on behalf of the creator or inventor if someone has infringed on their work, such as in cases where branded goods are faked and sold for a lower price in the market.

What is a criminal defense lawyer?

Last but not least, a criminal defense lawyer is skilled in handling all stages of a criminal lawsuit. They provide valuable counsel to their clients from the time they are arrested, through the investigation, charging, arraignment and sentencing. Their work isn't quite done if their clients wish to appeal their case. A good criminal defense attorney knows how to navigate the nuances of the law, which allows them to keep their clients out of prison.

What is a malpractice lawsuit?

A rapidly growing field of malpractice lawsuits stems from a category known as “mental health malpractice.”. A mental health malpractice claim may arise when a mental health practitioner (e.g., a psychiatrist) treats their patient in a negligent manner or abuses the power that they have over them as a professional.

What rights do patients have?

One of the primary rights that patients should know about is the right to refuse treatment. Regardless of whether the patient was committed to a mental health facility voluntarily or involuntarily, according to the law, a patient always has a right to refuse treatment. However, there may be some exceptions.

Why is it important for a mental health provider to keep patient information confidential?

On the other, the mental health provider could be the only who knew about or had access to the information that the patient might pose a danger to others.

What is the Supreme Court case in Tarasoff v. Regents?

Regents of the University of California, held that mental health providers do have a duty to protect individuals that may be at risk of bodily harm based on information learned from their patients.

Do mental health providers have a duty to warn others?

Since then, many jurisdictions have opted to adopt this ruling and it has been generally applied in almost all states that a mental health provider does have a duty to warn someone else if their patient seeks to harm them. This is especially true if the patient intends to kill the victim.

Can a doctor be sued for medical malpractice?

For example, a doctor who fails to treat their patient properly and as a result, ends up making the patient worse, could be sued for medical malpractice .

When a hospital negligence claim is based on vicarious liability, the plaintiff needs to show that the negligent employee

When the hospital negligence claim is based on vicarious liability, the plaintiff needs to show that the negligent employee was acting under the control or direction of the hospital facility. Otherwise, the hospital may not be liable for the negligence of the employee. Find the Right Personal Injury Lawyer.

What is hospital negligence?

Hospital negligence occurs when a hospital or health care facility fails to follow the duty of care they owe to patients in dealing with those patients. A person may be able to file a negligence claim against the hospital if the breach of duty that the hospital. Many medical malpractice claims involve injuries caused by a physician ...

What is vicarious liability in a hospital?

A health worker administering medication when they knew or should have known that the patient may have an allergic reaction. When the hospital negligence claim is based on vicarious liability, the plaintiff needs to show that the negligent employee was acting under the control or direction of the hospital facility.

What are some examples of vicarious liability?

Some examples of a hospital’s vicarious liability can include: A nurse or technician giving a patient the wrong medication or an improper dosage. Negligent care in an operation, such as leaving an object in the patient’s body.

Can a hospital be sued for medical malpractice?

Many medical malpractice claims involve injuries caused by a physician or other health care professional. However, in a claim for hospital negligence , it is the medical institution itself that is being sued. Thus, there may be a high likelihood that more than one person was affected by the hospital’s negligence.

Is a hospital liable for negligent acts?

In the second type, it is not the hospital that performed the negligent act, but rather an employee of the hospital. However, the hospital may be held liable if the employee acted while under the hospital’s control, or if the hospital ordered the employee’s actions. This is known as “vicarious liability," and requires that a number ...

What is a disability attorney?

The Social Security Disability system can be a particularly complex system in which to navigate. An attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability issues can help you with any step in the Social Security Disability process, including assisting you with eligibility issues, launching an appeal of a decision to deny you benefits and dealing with the reduction or termination of your benefits.

What is a worker's compensation lawyer?

If you’ve been injured while on the job, or have had to face the death of a loved one as a result of a workplace accident or occupational disease, a lawyer who specializes in workers compensation law can help you navigate the issues you face, such as the extent of the employer’s fault and the amount of benefits to which you are entitled.

What can a corporate lawyer do for you?

A corporate lawyer will be able to help you with issues related to the formation of your corporation, general corporate governance issues and corporate compliance issues.

What is an estate planning lawyer?

The estate planning lawyer specializes in wills and trusts, and can help you to draw up a will to pass on your assets. Among other estate planning legal services, this type of lawyer can help you set up a trust which will help take care of your children’s financial needs.

What is an IP lawyer?

Also known as an IP attorney, an intellectual property lawyer can advise you with regard to issues relating to intellectual property, such as copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design and trade secrets.

What is an employment lawyer?

Employment Lawyer. Whether you’re a company that’s having a problem with an employee, or an individual who’s having problems with the company you work for, an employment lawyer can generally provide advice about legal issues which arise from an employment contract or within an employment relationship.

Do doctors make mistakes?

Doctors do occasionally make mistakes, and if you’re facing the consequences of a medical mistake such as a medical misdiagnosis or inaccurate treatment, a lawyer who specializes in medical malpractice issues can be particular helpful.

What are the issues that family lawyers work on?

Some are members of the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys. Issues with which family and divorce lawyers work include, but are not limited to: Adoption – Family lawyers may help clients to adopt children, handling the paperwork and legal proceedings both in and out of court.

What does a criminal defense lawyer do?

Criminal defense attorneys represent those who accused of a wide variety of crimes, otherwise known as defendants, both in and out of court. They may choose to join the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Issues with which criminal defense attorneys may deal include (but are not limited to):

What is a DUI lawyer?

One organization for these lawyers is the DUI Defense Lawyers Association. Issues thecy may handle include:

What is civil rights?

Civil rights attorneys represent the historical, constitutional civil rights of citizens of the United States. They work to protect individuals against discrimination and harassment, as well as to preserve privacy and freedoms rights. Many civil rights attorneys join groups such as Lawyers for Civil Rights in order to better advocate for their clients. Duties that a civil rights lawyer may handle are:

What is a corporate lawyer?

Corporate law attorneys and business attorneys serve their client, the business or corporation that employs them. They may work alone or with a team of lawyers in representing the companies that are their clients. These types of lawyers are also called General Counsel, In-House Counsel, Staff Attorney and Chief Legal Officer. They may be members of the Association of Corporate Counsel. Duties and specialties that fall under this heading include:

What is debt relief lawyer?

Debt – These types of lawyers are also known as Debt Settlement or Debt Relief Lawyers, and will help clients to negotiate debt payments with their creditors in order to avoid debt settlement companies and the fees they charge.

What are the rights of gay and lesbian lawyers?

Gay and Lesbian Rights – These types of lawyers represent the civil rights and protections of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those living with HIV. Voting Rights – These attorneys represent, fight for and protect the right of every citizen over the age of 18 to vote.

Why can't a doctor treat a patient?

A doctor can refuse to treat a patient because: The doctor’s practice is not accepting new patients. The doctor doesn’t have a working relationship with your health insurance company. The doctor chooses not to treat patients with the illness or injury you suffer from. You can’t pay for the costs of treatment.

What to do if you are denied treatment by a doctor?

If you’ve been denied treatment by a hospital or doctor, you need to know about medical malpractice and your right to seek compensation.

What is an emergency medical condition?

EMTALA defines an emergency medical condition as one that occurred suddenly, with symptoms such as severe pain, psychiatric disturbance, or symptoms of substance abuse, where lack of emergency care could result in: placing the health of the individual (or unborn child) in serious jeopardy.

What is drug seeking behavior?

The patient exhibits “drug seeking behavior.”. Most emergency room doctors and nurses are trained to identify those who likely have a drug problem. The patient is deluded, believing they are seriously ill when there is no real illness. The patient displays destructive or dangerous behavior while waiting to be seen.

What laws regulate emergency treatment?

Federal Laws Regulate Emergency Treatment. Before the enactment of civil and patient’s rights laws, patients who couldn’t pay were often refused treatment or transferred (“dumped”) at public hospitals even when they were in no condition to be moved. Today, hospitals with emergency departments that qualify for Medicare are mandated by state ...

How many people end up in the emergency room every year?

Nearly 137 million people of all ages end up at a hospital emergency room every year. ¹. Federal law requires Medicare-approved hospitals to provide emergency medical treatment to anyone who needs it, even when the person doesn’t have health insurance. Roughly 15 percent of American adults do not have health care coverage.

How long do you have to wait to see a patient with a sprained ankle?

Someone with a sprained ankle may have to wait for several hours before being seen.

What are the different types of lawyers?

The following are a few of the many different types of lawyers in the United States: Civil Rights Lawyer. Civil rights attorneys use the law to help people protect their civil rights or recover damages if their civil rights have been trampled on. Civil rights are the core rights of United States citizens that stem from state ...

What is a personal injury lawyer?

Personal injury attorneys are also needed to defend the people and entities that are sued after an incident causing personal injury occurs. The types of legal actions personal injury attorneys work on include medical malpractice, product liability, civil battery, and defamation to name just a few. Public Interest Lawyer.

What is a private sector lawyer?

Private sector lawyer refers to the broad category of lawyers that do not work for the government or nonprofits but instead work for private companies and law firms. Private sector lawyers usually make more than public sector lawyers. Real Estate Lawyer.

What is toxic tort?

Toxic tort lawyers are a special type of personal injury lawyer. They work with people that have been exposed to toxic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and even toxic water and air. Asbestos lawsuits are the toxic tort that people are most familiar with and that encompass the majority of toxic tort lawsuits.

Why is the career outlook for lawyers less appealing?

The career outlook for lawyers has become less appealing in the past 10 years because there are many more law schools and lawyers than there used to be . This floods the market and makes it harder for lawyers to obtain jobs and decreases overall salaries.

What does a paralegal do?

Other paralegals perform more substantive legal work like summarizing depositions, medical records, and other documents, drafting complicated correspondence and reports, and even doing legal research . Although not required, colleges across the country offer degrees in paralegal studies and related subjects.

What does a real estate lawyer do?

Real estate lawyers have a variety of options for their practice they can help close real estate deals, represent parties when real estate deals fall through, and lawsuits are filed, and can represent clients in the process of obtaining required permits for their real estate deals.

What are the forms of unfair labor practices?

Unfair and discriminatory labor practices against employees can take many forms, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, refusal to give a reasonable accommodation, denial of leave, employer retaliation, and wage and hour violations.

What does it mean when an employee is forced to tolerate sexual harassment?

For example, an employee may be forced to tolerate sexual harassment from a manager as a condition of their continued employment.

What is workplace harassment?

When workers are subjected to slurs, assaults, threats, ridicule, offensive jokes, unwelcome sexual advances, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, it can be considered workplace harassment. Similar to workplace discrimination, workplace harassment creates a hostile and abusive work environment.

What is wrongful termination?

This is termed wrongful termination, wrongful discharge, or wrongful dismissal. There are many scenarios that may be grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit, including: Firing an employee out of retaliation. Discrimination.

What are some examples of misclassifications?

Some examples of misclassifications include: Misclassifying a worker as an independent contractor to not have to comply with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission laws, which prevent employment discrimination.

What is FMLA in healthcare?

Under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employers must offer unpaid leave time to employees with a qualifying family or individual medical situation, such as leave for the birth or adoption of a baby or leave to care for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition.

What is defamation in the workplace?

Defamation is generally defined as the act of damaging the reputation of a person through slanderous (spoken) or libelous (written) comments. When defamation occurs in the workplace, it has the potential to harm team morale, create alienation, or even cause long-term damage to a worker’s career prospects.