Dental Malpractice and Medical Malpractice Settlement Cases

It is quite a shocking figure, but according to a research, about 80,000 people become the victims of medical and dental malpractice every single year. However, only about 10,000 people actually file a lawsuit in order to receive compensation. The small number of lawsuits can be attributed to a lack of awareness among people about their rights in such cases and a fear of legal proceedings.

It is, according to law, the negligent conduct of a medical professional that is directly responsible for causing an injury to a person. The important term here is “negligent conduct”. If a patient succumbs to injuries even after the doctors have done everything in their capacity to save the person's life, a case of malpractice cannot be filed against the doctors.

However, if an injury is caused to a person due to negligence on the part of a medical professional, the person or the person's family is entitled to be compensated, provided the case stands in court. Such cases rarely make it to the court though. In a vast majority of these cases, medical or dental malpractice settlement is reached out of court. Even though the amount compensation is usually lower in an out of court settlement, it does save both the parties from long and hard fought trials.

If the case makes it to the court, following are the types of compensation that can be awarded:

Actual damages can be compensated and they include out of pocket expenses, lost profits or incomes as a result of the injury and the medical expenses incurred. There can also be a compensation awarded for the pain and suffering caused, such an award is called a non-economic award. If the court finds that the malpractice was willful or a gross negligence on the part of the medical practitioner concerned, punitive actions can be taken. Such verdicts are passed very infrequently.

A competent and experienced attorney is the best person to advice whether an out of court settlement should be accepted or the case should be taken to a court. The medical practitioners are usually inclined to settle out of court. Interestingly, many physicians and other medical professionals have insurance cover for liabilities claimed against them. Malpractice in the medical world is quite a serious offense and any persons who think a medical practitioner has wronged them; medical and dental malpractice settlement should be sought with the help of a reputable medical or dental malpractice lawyer.