As patients, we put our complete trust in the doctors and medical professionals that treat us. Too often, that trust is misguided, and we lose faith in the medical system due to serious mistakes made by medical professionals. People suffer harm at the hands of doctors more often than you might think. According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization, as many as 1 in 10 patients suffer some form of harm while receiving treatment at hospitals. In some cases, these mistakes can even lead to death. By filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, you can fight for the compensation you deserve if you have been the victim of one of these medical mistakes.
Why Medical Malpractice Matters
The only way to improve this situation is to hold doctors accountable. We can do this by pursuing legal action against doctors and healthcare professionals who are responsible for life-altering errors. When these doctors are confronted with the results of their mistakes firsthand, they are more likely to think twice about their actions. Medical malpractice cases matter because they protect more people from being harmed in the future. Unfortunately, it is not sufficient to rely on the government organizations or medical agencies to resolve these issues internally. Without the pressure of legal action, many irresponsible doctors will continue to harm patients long into the future. This became even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, when state medical boards across the nation started to take a “hands-off” approach to doctor discipline. A recent report showed that in Kentucky, no doctors had their licenses taken away during the first six months of 2020. During the first six months of 2019, 10 doctors had their licenses revoked in Kentucky. Unless concerned citizens speak up, irresponsible doctors may never experience any notable consequences.
How Do Medical Malpractice Cases Work in Kentucky?
Medical malpractice cases in Kentucky follow the same basic guidelines that other states adhere to. Most importantly, these guidelines include the so-called “four Ds.” These include:
- Duty: All doctors in Kentucky have a duty to provide you with a professional level of care. If your doctor fails to provide this level of professional care, they may be liable.
- Dereliction: Dereliction of duty on the part of a doctor represents a much more serious issue. This is when a healthcare professional completely violates their own professional expectations. For example, they may have amputated the wrong limb or failed to sterilize an area before surgery.
- Direct Cause: In this case, the doctor directly caused a patient’s death or injury. They didn’t contribute to these damages, they caused them. For example, they may have administered a lethal dosage of medication.
- Damages: These are the damages suffered by the plaintiff as a result of the medical staff’s activities. These problems could be emotional, physical, mental, or financial.
If any of these “four Ds” sound familiar, you should immediately consult with an experienced legal professional to determine whether you have a legitimate medical malpractice case. Time is of the essence. When you become aware of the alleged medical malpractice, you only have one year to file a lawsuit. Another thing you should know about medical malpractice cases in Kentucky is that there is no “cap” on how much compensation you can receive. Unlike other states, Kentucky allows you to gain the compensation amount that is fair, even if that compensation is millions of dollars.
The Next Steps
If you or a loved one has been harmed as a result of irresponsible healthcare professionals, it is time to take action. Consult with Roberts Law Office today, and take the necessary steps to hold these doctors accountable.