Medical Malpractice Law FAQ: How do I know if a doctor has made previous medical errors?
Posted on September 18th, 2019 by Oddo & Babat, P.C.
As a patient, you naturally want to be able to trust your doctor. Before you opt to have any kind of medical treatment, it is important to choose a doctor who you can trust to provide you with the proper care. If you are concerned about your doctor, or a potential doctor, having a history of medical malpractice, there are resources that can assist you.
If you believe you or a loved one is the victim of medical malpractice, please call a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.
Resources to Review the History of a Doctor
By law, a doctor must have a state license in order to practice. Any suspensions, penalties, or disciplinary actions are linked to their license and recorded in the home state of the doctor. The Medical Board has files on all licensed doctors and the public is allowed to access this information. As a medical malpractice lawyer might explain to you, these files may not inform you about whether medical malpractice has occurred. In this case, you would likely need to review court cases that involve the doctor’s name. To explore these options further, you are encouraged to visit the American Medical Association website for a complete list of state board websites. If you think your doctor has committed malpractice against you and would like to know if this has happened before, it may be best to ask a medical malpractice lawyer for help.
Once You Have Found Where to Look in Your State
In general, all medical board websites will look slightly different from one state to another; however, the information should largely be the same. For example, you may review the status of the doctor’s license and their disciplinary history. Typically you can search for this information using the doctor’s name, license number, or the name of their practice.
What Happens When You Discover Disciplinary Actions
When you are reviewing the medical board website, you might feel confused about what you are reading – particularly when you find out the doctor who treats you has received disciplinary actions. If you are curious about these findings, you could discuss them with your doctor to see whether they can be explained in a satisfactory manner. In the event of their license being suspended or revoked, and they are still practicing, please call a medical malpractice lawyer for advice.
When You Also Feel You’ve Been the Victim of Medical Malpractice
In the event that you are reviewing your doctors’ history because you believe you may be the victim of malpractice, it may be in your best interest to consult a medical malpractice lawyer. If it is true that negligence or wrongdoing caused you unnecessary harm, compensation may be available. When you speak with your lawyer, he or she will know what questions to ask to determine if you have a case.
Get a Case Review
If you have been the victim of medical malpractice, and would like to know what options may be available, having a strong, skilled legal advocate on your side is recommended. For a consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer in Miami, FL, please call a law firm today.
Thanks to Needle & Ellenberg, P.A.for their insight into medical malpractice and doctor errors.