It has been suggested that one of the best ways to prevent medical malpractice is to take matters into one’s own hands and to make informed decisions when choosing doctors and medical facilities for care. Hospital negligence remains problematic in Louisiana and throughout the nation. With an estimated 17,000 medical malpractice lawsuits filed each year, prospective patients are wise to do their research before undergoing any form of treatment or surgical procedure.
It can be very unsettling to learn that one’s doctor has been sued for malpractice-related issues. According to the American Medical Association, it seems that some types of specialists face lawsuits more than others. Those at the top of the lawsuit list are surgeons and obstetricians. If one is concerned that a particular doctor may have been subject to a malpractice lawsuit, a quick check of a state medical board website can usually provide answers.
Such websites often post information regarding disciplinary measures that have been taken against board-certified physicians in the area. This is also a means for researching a doctor’s criminal history record. Those who discover that their chosen physician has lost one or more malpractice lawsuits may want to consider finding another doctor.
Even after conducting careful research, a Louisiana patient may fall victim to doctor or hospital negligence, suffering injury or illness as a result. In such times, the desire for justice may be strong. By contacting a medical malpractice attorney in the area, one is able to take the first steps toward seeking legal accountability against any party deemed liable for a medical injury.
Source: Forbes, >“Does Your Doctor Have Malpractice Claims? How To Find Out“, Nichole Bazemore, April 19, 2016
