In most cases, you can trust doctors and nurses to take care of you when you're injured or ill. However, medical malpractice is an unfortunate exception. Medical malpractice occurs when a patient suffers harm due to negligence by a healthcare provider. If you believe you've been a victim of medical malpractice, here are a few signs that it may be time to contact your lawyer. 

4 Common Signs of Medical Malpractice

1. Your Treatment Isn't Working

One of the first indications of medical malpractice is if your condition fails to improve or worsens despite receiving treatment. If you aren't feeling better, you may have been improperly diagnosed or prescribed the wrong treatment. Both cases can result in long-term damage to your health and give you cause to file a claim. A common example of medical malpractice is when the doctor makes an error in medication dosage, which can cause harmful side effects.

2. Inadequate Testing

A thorough testing process is essential to a proper, accurate diagnosis. At a minimum, the doctor should order standard tests such as bloodwork, X-rays, EKGs, and ultrasounds. However, more serious illnesses may require further testing. Failure to order the appropriate tests can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, both of which are grounds for a medical malpractice case. 

3. Poor Communication

Healthcare providers are obligated to inform their patients of test results and diagnoses. They should communicate with you in a reasonable time frame, clearly explain your diagnosis and treatment plan, and answer any questions you have. If your doctor ignores you or seems to rush their conversations with you, that could count as a breach of their duty of care.

4.  Understaffed Facility

The chances of negligent errors increase in an understaffed medical facility. When doctors and nurses are rushed or overworked, it can decrease the quality of their care. Patients are more likely to be misdiagnosed, suffer permanent damage to their health and even die in the most unfortunate cases. Hospitals are responsible for maintaining adequate staff levels, and they can be liable for a failure to do so.

For help with a medical malpractice claim, trust Andrew T. Brake, P.C. to represent your best interests. This personal injury lawyer provides high-quality legal counsel to clients in Denver, CO, metro area as well as Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Littleton. He also brings over 37 years of experience providing superior legal representation in medical malpractice cases. Call (303) 806-9000 to schedule a consultation or visit the attorney's website to learn more.