There are many protections in place to watch over physician conduct to prevent problems and poor treatment. Sometimes, though, bad things happen. If the physician is responsible, the patient may sue for medical malpractice with the help of medical malpractice lawyers. This video explains some of the rules that govern medical malpractice.
The patient needs to prove that the doctor owed the patient a duty of care, the doctor breached that duty, the doctor’s actions caused an injury or illness, and the patient’s resulting injury resulted in damages, both financial and otherwise.
The doctor-patient relationship is not a contractual one. In fact, a physician may owe a patient duty of care even if they have not come into physical contact with the patient. For example, if the physician recommends a course of treatment over the phone or through an intermediary, a doctor-patient relationship is established.
State laws determine what exactly constitutes a breach of duty for this relationship. An expert witness may be used to provide expert testimony for both the plaintiff and the defendant. They will state what usually happens in episodes of care.
For more information on medical malpractice, check out the video in the link above.