When we put our medical care into the hands of our medical professionals, we rarely give much thought to it; if we are sick, need surgery, or are undergoing routine medical treatment we are conditioned to trust our doctors, surgeons, and nurses. But medical professionals – while relegated with an enormous amount of responsibility – are only human; and when you are human, mistakes happen. However, when those mistakes stem from negligence or carelessness on their part – and result in our injury – it may warrant pursuing the matter legally. Such negligence in this case is referred to as medical malpractice, a legal matter that is handled by a personal injury attorney who can lead you through the process.

A personal injury attorney represents you through the legal process of a personal injury suit. As an advocate for the plaintiff in a medical malpractice case, the personal injury attorney will work on behalf of the injured party – or their family – to prove that injuries were sustained as a direct result of the medical professional’s negligence.

Medical malpractice is defined as occurring when there are injuries – or even death - sustained by a patient at the hands of their medical caregivers. Such occurrences could include injuries sustained during a surgical mistake, illness derived from infection in the hospital – often a result of poor sanitation methods, and even birth defects sustained during mistakes made in labor and delivery. In the case of any of these occurrences, a patient may choose to file a medical malpractice suit against their medical professional – or even the hospital at large. In order to pursue such a case, the patient – or their family – must engage the services of a personal injury attorney.

While we all sign waivers prior to undergoing any medical procedure, such waivers do not cover the medical professionals if their actions are considered to be negligent or careless. It is the job of the personal injury attorney – on your behalf – to establish such negligence through the examination of your medical records and other materials surrounding the case.