When an employee makes a mistake at their office job, it may not have a literal, negative effect on someone else’s life. However, the same cannot be said for physicians who work in hospitals. As a matter of fact, their patients’ well-being and based fully and directly on their judgment calls and actions. With that comparison being drawn, please follow along to find out the potential consequences of physicians making errors while practicing and how a proficient New York City physician mistake attorney at Mark L. Bodner, P.C., can aid you if these mistakes place you in harm’s way.
What are the potential consequences when a physician makes errors?
The most obvious consequence of physician errors is that a patient may get physically hurt. For one, a physician may improperly interpret a patient’s expressed symptoms and medical test results and diagnose them with the wrong medical condition. With an incorrect treatment plan, a patient’s condition may progress to the point of incurability. Or, even if a physician diagnoses correctly, they may make a mistake while performing surgery. This may be failing to remember their patient’s chart and medical history before performing certain tasks, or even leaving a surgical instrument in their body. While their initial condition may have been treated, they may now have to deal with new, worse health concerns.
With this physical harm inevitably comes financial losses. Using the same example, if a physician makes a surgical mistake, they may need to operate on the patient again to rectify it. This may just double a patient’s medical bills. All the while, they may require a longer recovery time and thereby a prolonged leave of absence from work. Along with current lost wages, the error may have been significant enough that the patient will never return to their normal health. And so, their future earning capacity may also be threatened. This physical and financial stress may manifest into mental and emotional distress. Specifically, a patient may receive a new mental health diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, etc. Again, this may require them to make therapy appointments with a licensed psychiatrist and start taking prescription medication, all of which costs more money.
How can I prove that my physician made a negligent error?
Sometimes, a physician may do everything in their power to try to heal you, but no amount of medicine can manage or cure your condition. Other times, unfortunately, a physician could have done more, but made a mistake on their part. To prove the latter, you must document every part of your medical journey, collecting copies of every doctor’s note, test result, bill, etc. This may make the world of a difference if and when you choose to pursue a medical malpractice claim against the sorely mistaken physician. This matter may obviously be important to you, and you may want the best possible outcome. So please, do not fight this without a talented New York City hospital negligence attorney in your corner. The team at Mark L. Bodner, P.C. is here at your command.