Know what you’re getting into when you employ a medical malpractice attorney. These cases can be complicated and require both legal and medical expertise. A medical malpractice case can involve anything from minor injuries to sexual misconduct on the part of the attending physician. Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in your case.
Extensive legal and medical knowledge
A malpractice attorney’s training and educational requirements are similar to those of other lawyers. Most medical lawyers earn four-year bachelor’s degrees in medical subjects before entering the profession. This knowledge will help them better assess whether a case involves medical malpractice. They may also take the Law School Admission Test and attend law school for three years to complete their studies. A malpractice attorney Renton may be certified by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys.
A medical malpractice attorney must be able to interpret complex medical terms and laws. In addition, they will need to interact with expert medical witnesses who can testify in a malpractice case. Medical malpractice attorney must understand and follow specific procedural rules. This knowledge is crucial to winning a case.
Medical malpractice attorneys must be familiar with medical terminology, procedures, and diagnoses. Therefore, they often consult doctors and nurses to understand their clients’ medical cases better.
Minor injuries
When a medical professional fails to provide the proper care for a patient, they may be liable for compensation through non-economic damages. These damages are awarded to compensate for the pain and suffering that a patient has experienced. For example, they cover physical pain caused by an accident or a faulty medical procedure and emotional and psychological discomforts. Medical malpractice lawsuits often take months or even years to resolve, so it is essential to have an advocate on your side. A medical malpractice attorney can help you get the proper treatment and care you need.
Sexual misconduct by the physician
While medical malpractice attorneys are often called upon to prosecute cases involving sexual misconduct by an attending physician, the actual act of sex is not always a cause for malpractice claims. Sometimes, such cases are filed based on a tort theory, such as assault and battery. Assault refers to an intentional attempt to cause a person to fear harm, while battery involves actual contact with another person in a harmful way.
When a physician tries to have sex with a patient, the sexual activity violates the doctor-patient relationship. Therefore, this type of misconduct is illegal and ethically questionable. Regardless of the doctor’s intent, there is a duty of care to maintain a professional working relationship with their patients, which includes being respectful and avoiding sexual intercourse.
A medical malpractice attorney will work to identify all of the parties liable for damages. For example, the claim may be filed against the physician who committed the misconduct or the hospital or medical practice where the incident occurred. Sometimes, the hospital may also be held liable for failing to protect patients adequately.