Gynecology and obstetrics have seen major technology advancements. The goal of physicians today in this field is to provide their patients with the best technology and care for overall reproductive health. However, a physician is human, and humans are prone to error. Therefore, when a patient is harmed because of a physician error, a malpractice lawsuit may occur.
Deciding if there is a case against an OB/GYN, or when a plaintiff should file a case, is difficult. It is best if a patient speaks with a personal injury attorney prior to assuming that he or she does or does not have a claim.
All doctors, regardless of specialty, are held to a higher standard of care. They are expected to act in their patient’s best interest, follow patient wishes, and treat all patients with the same level of skill, expertise, and care. This care is done regardless of sex, race, religious preference, sexual preference, age, and income.
When a physician, including an OB/GYN, fails to fulfill that duty, he or she can be sued under Connecticut medical malpractice laws.
In women’s health, OB/GYNs and staff must be competent and well-trained in the field of medicine in which they are working. They should be able to accurately diagnose and treat common reproductive health disorders and conditions. Also, a physician must be able to adequately diagnose a patient so that the individual has access to proper care as soon as possible. When the gynecologist fails to diagnose the patient, and does so negligently, he or she is liable for injuries.
The area of OB/GYN and reproductive health carries plenty of risks. For example, having a C-section means that a patient will experience known complications. Patients consent to these complications and the risk of experiencing them when they sign the consent form for surgery.
However, it is the physician’s responsibility to ensure that the patient fully understands the risks prior to signing. If the physician purposely leaves out facts and the patient suffers a risk that he or she did not know existed, the physician could be sued for malpractice.
Another example would be when medications are prescribed. For example, a physician prescribes antibiotics for an infection, but the infection lasts longer than expected. The patient does not have antibiotics left in his or her supply, but the patient decides to not contact the doctor. He or she waits to see if the infection goes away on its own. The infection lasting longer than it should is not the doctor’s fault, nor is the patient’s having run out of medication. Instead, the patient should have contacted the physician to let him or her know that the illness ran longer than it should have.
Medical malpractice claims are highly complicated; therefore, those who are injured by a physician must speak with an attorney about their case.
If you or a loved one was injured because of an OB/GYN’s negligence, you may have a claim for medical malpractice. Contact Berkowitz and Hanna LLC today to schedule a no-obligation case evaluation. Call 866-479-7909 or contact us online to get started.
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