When Connecticut residents have suffered an injury or contract an illness due to medical malpractice, the last thing they usually want to worry about is the legal terms that could be a part of any potential lawsuit. They are worried about getting the correct treatment or surgery that they need. However, if a lawsuit is an option, many of our readers will encounter the term “standard of care.” So, what is a “standard of care” when it comes to medical treatment and surgery?
Well, “standard of care” can be a somewhat nebulous term, but, essentially, it is the label that is given to the expectation of treatment that a doctor should be held to. It is a duty that is owed to the patient from the doctor or medical professional. To render treatment or perform a surgery that does not meet the applicable standard of care may equate to medical malpractice.
Unfortunately, complications can arise due to the highly specialized nature of some medical practices. For instance, while all doctors and medical professionals have a general “baseline” of medical knowledge and experience, a doctor who, for example, specializes in heart treatment will have a different set of skills than a doctor who specializes in knee and joint treatments. Although each of these types of practitioners would be held to a standard of care, the applicable standard of care would likely be different for each one.
Medical malpractice cases can be notoriously complicated. Any Connecticut residents who believe that they have been the victim of malpractice may need to get more information about their legal options.
