Ohio patients likely know that medical mistakes that lead to life-impacting complications can occur. In some cases, patients who have evidence that malpractice has occurred take their case to court. One former doctor who acted as an expert witness in a medical malpractice case later admitted that he lied in the negligent doctor’s favor. It was noted that this may be more common than many think.
When asked why he lied, the former doctor, who is now a patient advocate, stated that he did it because there was a cultural attitude that doctors should support their colleagues. The pressure to lie in these situations is prevalent, even though the major professional medical societies, such as the American College of Surgeons, stress that doctors should be advocates for their patients.
There have been many studies that have shown that patients are often not told if a mistake has occurred or if they have been harmed in any way. In fact, other studies have shown that doctors are often afraid to inform patients about any mistakes that have been made due to fear of retaliation.
Medical negligence can result in serious complications that can have a negative impact on a patient’s recovery or ability to return to normal life. If there is evidence that a doctor was negligent and that this negligence directly led to harm, they may have the grounds to file a medical malpractice claim. An attorney may assist with determining if the harmed patient has a case. They may assist with finding expert witnesses and other evidence that may bolster the case. In some cases, the attorney may negotiate a settlement that covers the patient’s medical costs as well as any they may potentially face in the future. Otherwise, the attorney may represent the patient in court if no settlement can be reached.