Despite providing the greatest care and services available, doctors can make mistakes, just like other professionals. This is acknowledged by the state of Florida, which upholds the General Standard for Medical Care. The standard represents the very minimum that a doctor is able to do. Any departure from the requirements of the standard is considered malpractice.
Being negligent while on the job is one of the various deviations. Therefore, a victim or plaintiff would have to establish that there was negligence present at the time the doctor made the diagnosis. An additional requirement is harm. State-by-state, the meaning of the term ‘harm’ varies. In Florida, harm means bodily injury. Legally speaking, a misdiagnosis that results in the spread or progression of a disease is harmful.
A misdiagnosis can also be damaging if the prescribed treatment worsens the patient’s condition. This occurs frequently when the patient has symptoms identical to those of another disease. Giving the wrong diagnosis can result in legal action against the doctor. However, in order to establish a claim, it is necessary to demonstrate both negligence and harm in the misdiagnosis.
If you suspect that you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, you should contact an experienced South Florida personal injury law firm as soon as possible.
Hevia Law Firm has built an experienced team of South Florida personal injury trial lawyers that can examine your case and assist you in pursuing justice on solid legal ground. For additional information, visit Hevia Law online.Â