What is medical malpractice?

A: The term "medical malpractice" is nothing more than "negligence" in the setting of medical treatment.  Therefore, to understand what medical malpractice is, all you need to know is what "negligence" is.  Negligence is just a fancy lawyer word for carelessness.  When a person is careless, they are, by definition, negligent.  It's this simple:  negligence equals carelessness.  And carelessness simply means not taking enough care under the circumstances.  So, if a doctor or a nurse or other person who provides you with medical treatment fails to take enough care under the circumstances, and you suffer an injury as a result, you have been the victim of medical negligence or medical malpractice.

Medical negligence or medical malpractice does not mean that anyone tried to harm you or that anyone intended to harm you.  A doctor or a nurse or a hospital can have the very best of intentions towards you and still commit medical negligence or medical malpractice if they fail to take enough care under the circumstances to protect you from harm.

A good rule to follow is this:  if the medical care you received harmed you in any way there is a chance that you have been the victim of medical negligence or medical malpractice.  The only way to know for sure if the harm you suffered was the result of medical negligence or malpractice is to discuss your situation with a medical negligence lawyer.

If you have a question about your case, contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Pennsylvania for a free evaluation of your case.  We specialize in helping people injured by medical malpractice.