It is safe to assume that most medical professionals strive to care for their patients without causing them any harm. Despite this, medical malpractice continues to injure and kill far too many victims.
Anyone can suffer negligent malpractice injuries, but some characteristics may increase your risk of medical harm. Learning about them could help you decide if you need protection when obtaining care.
Patient age
Elderly individuals are more likely than younger people to have complicated medical conditions, which could leave them especially vulnerable to mistakes. Older individuals are also at greater risk of abuse or neglect in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
Multiple conditions
Those undergoing different treatments for multiple medical problems may have more risk than others because their care is often complex and hard to coordinate. Since healthcare providers know about this risk, they have an obligation to take extra precautions that ensure patient safety.
Mental health issues
People suffering from mental health conditions often experience communication problems when consulting with medical professionals. However, it is the responsibility of care providers to ensure patients understand their diagnosis, treatment orders and other concerns.
Personal characteristics
You may think discrimination only harms those looking for a job or somewhere to live, but it can impact medical patients just as severely. Unfortunately, many receive substandard healthcare due to their race, gender, income level or another personal characteristic.
If you are worried that you or a loved one may be susceptible to medical malpractice because of a certain characteristic, discuss your concerns with your doctors. That may remind them of their duty to assess the risks inherent to your situation and prevent a tragic incident.
If you have already suffered harm through medical malpractice in Connecticut, legal guidance may help you hold the responsible parties to account.