Becoming a doctor takes a lot of commitment to schooling and long work hours. However, doctors are still human, and errors do occur. When this happens, patients can file a medical malpractice lawsuit to receive compensation for damages. There have been suggestions that medical malpractice laws need to be reformed, and as with any legal situation, there are people on both sides of the argument.
What Is Medical Malpractice Reform?
In order to understand why people are for or against medical malpractice reform, one must understand what is involved. If medical malpractice laws are reformed, there would be limits on how much compensation a patient can receive on a case. Some say that this would allow doctors to feel more comfortable performing complex procedures, but others say that it would cause doctors to make more careless errors.
Arguments Against Medical Malpractice Reform
Those who are opposed to medical malpractice reform say that lawsuits are most often a result of the negligence of a doctor or other healthcare professional. They say that reforming medical malpractice laws would cause patients to lose their right to speak up about serious errors and lapses of judgement in healthcare. Opponents emphasize that medical errors are serious mistakes and should be taken seriously.
Increased Litigation Is in Direct Correlation to More Medical Errors
Many doctors and insurance companies say that there are too many medical malpractice lawsuits happening, and that this shows that patients are trying to receive compensation whenever they can. Opponents of reform, though, say that the increase in litigation is directly related to an increase in errors by doctors. Doctors have to work long shifts without breaks and are often prone to lapses in judgement about treatment.
Patients Deserve to Have a Voice
Patients put a lot of trust in medical professionals each and every day, and it is important that the trust means something to the healthcare workers. Patients who are the victims of medical errors need to know that they can seek restitution for harm they experienced. Without the prospect of receiving compensation for a medical mistake, the situation feels entirely hopeless for the wronged patient.
There are plenty of arguments to consider on both sides of the medical malpractice reform debate. It is important that patients understand their rights and exercise them when needed. When there is mutual trust between the patient and doctor, a better medical outcome can be hoped for.
Contact an Attorney
If you or someone you know was the victim of medical malpractice, contact a lawyer, like a medical malpractice lawyer Indianapolis, IN from Ward & Ward Law Firm, today to see if you have a case.