Emergency Treatment and Medical Malpractice
April 16th, 2015If you sustained serious injuries in an unexpected event or accident, you may require emergency medical treatment. Under most circumstances, injured individuals are grateful for any life-saving treatment that a doctor or health-care practitioner provides, but when something goes wrong, it is common to question whether you received adequate or negligent treatment.
It is important to remember that there are unique rules that may apply to first responders and doctors assisting patients under emergency circumstances. If you believe you received negligent treatment from a doctor under these circumstances, contact a specialist malpractice lawyer to schedule a case evaluation and determine if you may have a valid claim.
The Bowling Law Firm, we handle a wide range of medical malpractice cases each year, and the Firm is an AV-rated law Firm under Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system. David A. Bowling is a New Orleans medical malpractice lawyer with more than 30 years of trial experience. Call us today at (504) 586-5200 to schedule an appointment, and read on for more information regarding malpractice in emergency situations.
First Responders
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters , the law does not automatically protect first responders. State laws do offer some level of protection for first responders, though, in order to maintain the integrity and efficiency of emergency services, including fire fighters, ambulance staff and emergency medical practitioners.
A malpractice lawyer can help determine if there was any degree of negligence or malpractice, but the general rule is that unless the first responder acted recklessly or in a manner that is clearly or intentionally negligent, it will be difficult to prove medical malpractice. If you believe that the first responder acted in an obviously negligent manner, you may be able to pursue a claim against the individual.
Emergency Room Doctors and Nurses
The law does not typically protect emergency room doctors and nurses as much as it does first responders. If you sustained additional injuries while receiving treatment in an emergency room, you may be able to file a suit for medical malpractice as you would for any regular doctor or health-care provider.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, if you wish to pursue a claim of medical malpractice, you will still need to prove that the physician had a duty to care for you and that he or she violated laws or guidelines in the process of your treatment. If you believe you were the victim of medical malpractice, one of the best approaches is to contact an experienced New Orleans medical malpractice attorney for advice. A qualified attorney will be in a position to evaluate the circumstances surrounding your specific case and can advise on if you have a claim, as well as how to proceed.
The Bowling Law Firm is an established and respected Louisiana medical malpractice Firm, and we specialize in helping people who have suffered injuries due to a health-care provider’s negligence. Call us today at (504) 586-5200 to schedule an appointment.
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