Patient Abandonment Discussed by Cleveland Medical Malpractice Lawyer

There are many forms of Cleveland medical malpractice in which a lawyer can help you fight. From a doctor’s incorrect diagnosis to a pharmacist’s error in prescription dosage, medical mistakes are innumerable, and most of them come with high costs – both financial and physical. These dangerous mistakes can lead to worsened symptoms, more severe conditions, and in some cases, even death. Many of these errors are accrued because of medical negligence, when a doctor fails to provide proper care for a patient. An example of such is patient abandonment.

What is patient abandonment?

Patient abandonment occurs when an overseeing physician or doctor abruptly stops treating a patient with no warning and without referral to another medical professional who can continue their treatment. Certain other cases are considered patient abandonment as well – for example, if a patient fails to receive prompt care from an emergency room staff member or if the doctor leaves the area of treatment, placing them in the care of another doctor, without warning.

The case of Hill vs. Medlantic Health Care Group determined that “abandonment is the termination of the professional relationship between the physician and patient at an unreasonable time or without affording the patient the opportunity to procure an equally qualified replacement.”

Abandonment can cause serious harm and injury to the patient, especially if the situation is an emergency or the patient has a life-threatening illness. If you or a loved one experienced patient abandonment and it resulted in an injury, worsened condition, or other more serious consequences, it could be considered negligence and you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice claim for compensation. Contact a Cleveland medical malpractice lawyer at Mellino Robenalt to learn more at 440-333-3800.

Proving Patient Abandonment as Medical Malpractice

In order to prove you were a victim of medical malpractice, you must show: 

• existence of a doctor-patient relationship;
• your physician had a duty and commitment to continue your treatment;
• that he or she improperly ended treatment before it was completed, without warning, and without referral to another qualified treatment option; and
• you suffered harm or injury due to the doctor’s negligence and abandonment.

Although it is not uncommon for a doctor to end treatment, either because the patient needs more specialized care or because the patient does not agree to certain treatment terms, it is considered negligence to cease treatment without referring the patient to another form of care, something of which your Cleveland medical malpractice lawyer can help you determine. If, after the abandonment occurs, injury or harm comes to the patient because of the doctor’s lack of care and treatment, he or she could be held liable for the damage done.

To prove negligence, you will need to show that your physician failed to provide the standard level of care you would have received from other comparable doctors. This may require testimony from outside physicians and experts as to how they would have acted in a similar situation. If they testify that they would not have terminated your treatment, this may prove you were delivered negligent, sub-standard care by your doctor.

What to Do Next

If you’ve experienced abandonment by your physician, seek other health care options immediately. This will not affect the outcome of your claim, and is imperative to ensuring your future health and well being.

Then, contact experienced legal counsel and begin preparing to file a medical malpractice claim. Your lawyer could seek to compensate you for a number of things, including: medical costs for additional treatments, prescriptions and diagnostics, pain and suffering, lost wages, and overall decreased quality of life.

If you or a loved one was abandoned by a doctor or physician and suffered further injury because of it, consider filing a medical malpractice claim today. Call 440-333-3800 to speak to a qualified Cleveland medical malpractice lawyer at Mellino Robenalt about your case.

Filed under Medical Malpractice, Press Releases.
Tags: Cleveland medical malpractice