No one expects to end up worse healthwise than they were before visiting the hospital. Therefore, someone should be held accountable when you acquire an infection from the place you expect to get medical care.
Hospital-acquired infections can occur from unsterilized equipment, unsanitary conditions, contact with unhygienic healthcare workers at the facility or contaminated air conditioning systems.
Healthcare providers and the duty of care
All healthcare providers owe their patients a legal duty of care by using reasonable care and skill with their patients. As such, it may amount to medical negligence when you develop an infection from avoidable causes at the hospital. The doctor or hospital may be answerable for the harm you suffer if they were negligent.
Filing a medical negligence lawsuit
As the victim of a hospital-acquired infection, taking action against the responsible healthcare provider will help you get the justice you deserve. However, for your claim to stand, the elements of medical malpractice must be present in your case. That means all of these are true:
- There was a patient-doctor relationship.
- You developed the infection as a result of negligence.
- You suffered damages due to the infection. These can include things like additional medical expenses or even pain and suffering.
Once all these are established, you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent party.
Getting help
Medical negligence cases such as these can get complex, given the endless possibilities of the origin of an infection. It is helpful to seek assistance on how you should handle your claim and protect your rights before filing a malpractice suit.
Having the proper guidance will ensure you are well prepared to navigate your case and increase the odds of a positive outcome.