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Maximizing Your Compensation After Getting An Infection From The Hospital

by Kristin Hawkins

Hospital infections are severe and potentially life-threatening complications that can affect patients. If you have recently been injured due to medical malpractice, you should consider contacting a medical malpractice attorney.

Common Causes of Hospital Infections

Infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other microorganisms that enter the body through wounds, catheters, surgical sites, or other medical devices. While some hospital infections are unavoidable, others result from negligence or substandard care by the hospital staff or facility.

For example, a hospital may fail to follow proper hygiene protocols, sterilize equipment, isolate contagious patients, or prescribe appropriate antibiotics. As a result, you might be exposed to pathogens that can increase the risk of infection.

Eligibility for a Medical Malpractice Claim

You may be entitled to a medical malpractice lawsuit if you have suffered an infection because of medical malpractice. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standard of care and causes harm to a patient. To prove medical malpractice, you must show that:

  • The hospital owed you a duty of care
  • The hospital breached the duty of care
  • You experienced an infection as a result of the breach of the duty of care
  • You suffered damages as a result of the infection

Proving all of this can be very difficult without the help of a medical malpractice attorney. If you cannot make a solid case, a medical malpractice insurance provider will deny your claim.

Compensation for Damages

You may be entitled to various damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. You might suffer from disfigurement or a reduced quality of life. 

The typical way to seek damages for negligence by a hospital is to file a claim with the hospital or healthcare provider. They will file a claim with their medical malpractice insurance provider. It's essential to file a claim early because there is a deadline. Also, the more time passes, the more likely the evidence you need to file your claim will disappear.

How to File a Claim

The medical malpractice insurance provider will conduct an investigation. It's essential to cooperate with the investigation. It would be best if you also spoke with a medical malpractice attorney about how you can increase the odds that your claim is approved and avoid the risk of making a statement that could later be used to deny your claim. If you cannot win your case, the next step is to consider whether to file a lawsuit.

For more information, go to this site or talk to a local professional.

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