Yes, they should disclose to their patient when a medical error is made, however, many fail to do so for one or more reasons.
As humans, we are all guilty of making mistakes, some of which are much more serious than others and should be recognized and addressed when they are made. For instance, if a physician were to perform the wrong type of procedure on a patient or failed to follow the proper steps during a surgical procedure which led to additional scarring, they should disclose to their patient what went wrong and how it will affect them. However, according to an article published in the Ghana Medical Journal and found on the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health website, “although most doctors believe that errors should be disclosed to patients when they occur, in reality, most doctors and institutions do not disclose such mishaps to patients and their families.”
So, what do they do? Instead, the author states that “they engage in extensive cover-ups under the guise of protecting the doctor-patient relationship and not causing harm to patients.” But the truth is, when a physician fails to provide their patients with the details pertaining to their error, it puts them at a disadvantage and possibly at risk of suffering from additional complications in the future. Aside from that, it also hinders the patient from being able to make certain decisions about their care and even breaks the trust involved in a doctor-patient relationship should they become aware of the error.
The source continues to explain that when a medical error is not disclosed, aside from the physical and mental suffering the patient may or may not experience, “the doctor [is also] conspicuously placing his own interests above that of the patient to the detriment of the patient, thereby violating a patient-centered ethic.” Non-disclosure also places the physician at a higher risk of litigation, especially when the patient later learns that their procedure didn’t quite go as planned or that they were never informed that an issue occurred.
So, what is a patient in Indiana to do when they suspect their treating physician made a mistake, whether it was in their diagnosis or during the time a procedure was being performed? They hire a Gary, IN personal injury lawyer who has experience in handling medical malpractice cases.
Here’s why you need a personal injury attorney to represent you after a doctor has made a medical error.
Aside from the fact that doctors are held to a different standard and are required to provide a certain level of care, if they made a mistake, they should take responsibility for their actions. Unfortunately, holding a physician accountable for malpractice doesn’t always result in a patient obtaining justice for the trauma, pain, and discomfort they had to undergo as a result. That is why it is essential that if your surgeon, doctor, or even a nurse has caused you to suffer from physical or emotional pain as a result of an error they made that could have been avoided, you contact my firm, Marshall P. Whalley & Associates, PC. Serving as a personal injury lawyer in Gary, IN and the surrounding area, I have helped numerous clients for decades recover thousands and even millions in compensation for the damages they were entitled to receive. To learn more about our firm and how we can help you seek justice for the trauma and pain you have experienced, contact us today by calling 219-769-2900 to schedule an initial consultation.
You can also visit Marshall P. Whalley & Associates, PC at:
51 W. 112th Avenue
Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone-219-769-2900
Toll Free-855-442-7211
Fax- 219-769-2995
Website: www.marshallslaw.com
