Patient Rights Attorney
The American healthcare system has specific laws that protect patients. Whether you are an adult, child or elderly person, these laws protect your right to medical treatment that is provided by professionals who have been trained and licensed. They also protect your personal medical records and information. However, there are still cases when healthcare professionals violate patients’ rights. These violations can result in physical and emotional damage to the victim. Whether you are a patient, legal guardian or family member, you should know what to watch for and how to respond when these rights are violated.
One of the most important patient rights is informed consent. This means that you are fully aware of all the risks and benefits of a procedure or medication. Your physician should be able to explain the details of any test, medication or treatment plan they are prescribing. While this may be challenging in emergency situations or in end-of-life decisions, the goal is for patients and their families to understand what the treatment will entail.
Another key patient right is being able to communicate their health care preferences through advance directives such as a living will or power of attorney. These documents are intended to allow patients to select someone they trust to make their health care decisions for them if they become incapacitated or otherwise unable to do so themselves. Patients should be able to have their advance directives followed as much as possible in accordance with the law.
In addition to these basic patient rights, patients are entitled to privacy and the ability to access their medical records at a reasonable fee. They are also able to have their bill itemized and an explanation of charges, as well as know what insurance providers the hospital does and does not participate with.
Despite these important patient rights, some healthcare providers have a tendency to overstep their boundaries in order to treat patients more efficiently or to save time. This may be due to a lack of training or the desire to keep patients happy. This can lead to a wide variety of issues including misdiagnosis, unnecessary procedures, or the administration of psychotropic medications without the patient’s or their family’s express consent.
While some healthcare professionals try to do the best job of preventing these kinds of incidents, there is only so much they can do. As a result, it is essential that patients and their families learn more about the various patient rights so they can recognize when they are being violated and take action.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a violation of patient rights, contact an experienced Patient Rights Attorney immediately. A skilled lawyer can help you file a claim and receive the compensation you deserve. While every case is different, there are a few requirements that all negligence claims based on patient rights must meet. First, the injury must be severe enough to warrant an investigation and a claim for damages.