3 Misconceptions about Medical Malpractice Litigation

When a patient is injured because of a doctor’s mistakes, they may consider legal action in order to fight for financial compensation. However, some patients may not exercise their legal options because of commonly held misconceptions about medical malpractice lawsuits.

If you have sustained an injury that was caused by a negligent doctor or nurse, you may be entitled to pursue legal action. To discuss your claim options with an experienced and compassionate advisor, contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 215-238-1130.

Reasons Victims Do Not File

In medicine, as well as law, laypersons often feel so thoroughly unfamiliar with matters that they assume they ought to defer to a professional. The following are three related reasons that victims of medical malpractice may not file.

#1: “A lawsuit would be a personal attack against my trusted doctor.”

Many patients understandably establish a strong connection with their doctor, whether they are a family physician or not. This can stop them from taking legal action if a mistake is made. However, it is important for a patient to remember that medical malpractice suits are not personal attacks on a doctor, but is a means of holding a professional accountable for serious errors.

#2: “A lawsuit would go public and instantly become very messy.”

Most medical malpractice lawsuits are handled with strict privacy and discretion on a hospital or practice’s behalf. Unless the doctor has done something particularly grievous or reckless, the case will likely proceed without public attention.

#3: “A lawsuit will ruin that doctor professionally.”

Again, this is commonly not the case. A doctor in a malpractice suit will often suffer little to no loss of reputation. Also, doctors do not generally lose their license to practice medicine due to malpractice claims unless the doctor has committed a severely reckless and thoughtless act.

Contact Us

If you have sustained an injury because of a doctor’s treatment mistakes or misbehavior, you may be entitled to pursue legal action. For additional information regarding your options as an injured patient, contact a Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., by calling 215-238-1130 today.