Healthcare providers engage in medical negligence when they fail to follow accepted medical standards and cause harm to a patient as a result.
For instance, a doctor in the emergency department may adhere to all protocols and make utmost efforts to save a car accident victim; however, if the patient still succumbs, this does not amount to medical negligence. In certain cases, it is simply impossible to save a person.
Conversely, an oncologist who failed to identify an aggressive form of cancer due to negligence in performing a crucial diagnostic procedure has committed medical malpractice. Even if the cancer is eventually detected and the patient is saved, the oncologist can be held liable. The patient is entitled to compensation for any damages caused by the delay in treatment.
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