How Do I Know if My Doctor Has Been Involved with Malpractice?

Many people are thankful for the life-saving and healing work doctors do for us and our families. Yet, some doctors have made serious errors or provided a lack of care that may have had a dramatic effect on a patient’s standard of living. As a patient, it is important to understand what medical malpractice is and to research a doctor’s background if you are concerned you may have been involved in medical malpractice. As one ages, it is important to also research a doctor’s history if surgery or long-term treatment and health management will likely be needed.

Medical malpractice is a negligent act or omission by a doctor. Under law, if a violation of a patient’s standard of care is determined, it may suggest negligence. The act or omission alone is not malpractice. The burden of proof lies on the patient and their chosen law firm to show that the doctor’s negligence resulted in either physical harm or financial hardship. To receive any compensation for disability, loss of income, or to cover the cost of expensive post-treatment operations, hospital visits, and follow-up care, the patient must prove how the injury affected the patient financially.

Every state has a board that issues licenses to qualified doctors. They also oversee doctor regulations and deal with disciplinary matters. By researching a doctor in each state board’s database, one can determine if a doctor has been involved with medical malpractice in the past. Check out the Federation of State Medical Boards or DocInfo.org to begin initial research.

Researching is the one of the first steps a patient can take to determine if standard of care has been compromised. Talking to an experienced firm such as Franco Firm can clarify legal documentation that may be found on the above websites and to assess the treatment of the patient to determine if a claim is valid under current medical malpractice laws. For an initial consultation, call the Franco Firm at (813) 872-0929.