Medical professionals are human and therefore subject to human error. This means that they can make mistakes such as committing medical malpractice. Facing these claims is often a frightening time in a person’s life, because there is the possibility they can lose their medical license. It is because of this that some professions have medical malpractice insurance. This is available to protect them in situations such as these. Continue reading below to learn more and contact an experienced New York medical defense attorney for assistance.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is defined as a form of negligence by a healthcare professional or doctor. This can include the following actions:
- Misreading or ignoring laboratory results
- Failure to recognize symptoms
- Failure to order proper testing
- Anesthesia errors
- Surgical errors or wrong-site surgery
- Unnecessary surgery
- Premature discharge
- Disregarding or not accepting appropriate patient history
- Improper medication or dosage
- Hospital infections
- Delayed diagnosis
What is Medical Malpractice Insurance?
Medical professionals keep malpractice insurance just in case they one day face these claims. It is a professional liability insurance for physicians and other medical professionals that protects them from any wrongful practices that cause bodily injury, medical expenses, property damage, or any lawsuits related to any claim.
Is Medical Malpractice Insurance Required?
In the state of New York, medical professionals are not currently required to carry malpractice insurance. However, while this insurance may be expensive, it can ultimately be cost professionals less than a malpractice lawsuit would. Since the state does not have a cap on how much a plaintiff can be awarded in a medical malpractice lawsuit, it may be better for professionals to have the insurance instead of hoping that a claim is never filed against them. Generally speaking, it is considered wise to have medical malpractice insurance just in case it is ever needed in the long run.
Contact our Firm
When a medical professional is accused of misconduct, it is essential that they retain strong legal representation. If you require a medical law attorney for your legal matters, call Paul E. Walker, an experienced New York City OPMC & OPD Lawyer. Please contactthe Walker Medical Law firm to set up a free initial consultation.
