Medical malpractice is a serious issue that affects thousands of patients each year in Florida. It can result in severe injuries, health complications, and even death. If you or a loved one is about to start seeing a new doctor, or you have questions about your current doctor’s record, one thing you may want to find out before your next trip to the doctor is whether your doctor has ever committed medical malpractice. In this blog post, we will explore the steps you can take to find out if a doctor has committed medical malpractice in Florida.
Tips for Finding Out if a Doctor Has Committed Medical Malpractice in Florida
The following are a few tips that can help you determine if a doctor in Florida has committed medical malpractice:
- Understand What Medical Malpractice Is – Before you can determine if a doctor has committed medical malpractice, you need to understand what it is. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide proper care, resulting in harm to the patient. This can include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication errors, and more. To prove medical malpractice, you must show that the healthcare provider was negligent in their care, the negligence resulted in harm, and the harm caused damages, such as physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of income, and medical expenses.
- Contact the Florida Department of Health – The Florida Department of Health is responsible for licensing and disciplining healthcare providers. You can visit their website to search for a doctor's license and disciplinary history. This will tell you if the doctor has had any disciplinary action taken against them, including license revocation/suspension, fines, and other penalties. The website also lists any current investigations or complaints filed against the healthcare provider.
- Check the National Practitioner Data Bank – The National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) is a national database that tracks disciplinary actions taken against healthcare providers. It includes information on malpractice payments, licensure actions, and exclusions from federal and state healthcare programs. You can request information from the NPDB for a fee. This information is useful if you want to check if a doctor has had any disciplinary action taken outside of the state of Florida.
- Hire a Medical Malpractice Attorney – If you suspect medical malpractice, consult an experienced Florida medical malpractice attorney. An attorney with experience in medical malpractice can help investigate your claim by reviewing medical records, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with medical experts. They can also help you understand the legal process and negotiate a settlement or take your case to trial.
- File a Complaint – If you believe that you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, file a complaint with the Florida Department of Health. You can file a complaint online, by mail, or by phone. A complaint will trigger an investigation to determine if disciplinary action is necessary. It is important to note that filing a complaint does not guarantee disciplinary action, but it can help protect other patients from similar harm.
By determining if a healthcare provider has committed medical malpractice, you can better ensure that you receive proper care, hold healthcare providers accountable, and help protect other patients from harm.
Speak with Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Florida for Free Today
If you believe you have been a victim of medical malpractice in Florida, you have the right to seek legal compensation. At Rash Mueller, our team of experienced medical malpractice lawyers has been dedicated to assisting medical negligence victims and their families for years. Our extensive support includes recovering compensation for hospital bills, loss of income, rehabilitation expenses, funeral costs, and more.
To learn more about Rash Mueller, and how we can help you with your medical malpractice claim, check out our case results and read our clients’ reviews.
Give us a call at (954) 914-7116 or get in touch with us online today to schedule a free consultation with our dedicated medical malpractice lawyers in Weston.