In Massachusetts, medical malpractice refers to professional negligence by act or omission by a health care provider. To be considered malpractice, the treatment provided must fall below the accepted standard of practice in the medical community and causes injury or death to the patient.
Ways in which medical malpractice leads to fatalities
One of the ways in which medical malpractice can lead to fatalities is when a health care provider prescribes the wrong medication or dosage to a patient. This can be due to negligence on the part of the doctor or pharmacist, or simply because of miscommunication between them.
Another way medical malpractice can lead to fatalities is through surgical errors. This could be anything from performing the wrong procedure on a patient to leaving a foreign object inside of them during surgery. Infections are also a common cause of death in medical malpractice cases as they can occur when patients are not properly sterilized before surgery or when they contract an infection while in the hospital, leading to sepsis and death.
Steps to take if a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice in Massachusetts
If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, the first step is to report the matter to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine. You will need to provide as much information as possible, including the name and contact information of the health care provider, the dates of treatment, and any relevant medical records. Once you have made a report, an investigation will be launched and if evidence of wrongdoing is found, disciplinary action may be taken against the health care provider.
If your loved one has died as a result of medical malpractice, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. You will also need to gather evidence to support your claims, such as medical records and expert testimony. It is important to note that there are strict deadlines for filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Massachusetts, so it is important to act quickly if you believe you have a case.
