What is the law on medical malpractice?

In Washington, medical malpractice is addressed through medical negligence law. This law sets a standard of care for medical professionals, and if those standards are not met, then it may qualify as medical malpractice. According to Washington law, medical malpractice is defined as an act or omission of care that falls below the acceptable standard. For a claim to be valid, the injured party must prove that the medical professional failed to adhere to the standard of care and that those actions resulted in harm. If the medical professional was negligent and their care resulted in the injury, the injured party may be able to recover damages. Damages may include medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other types of financial losses. In Washington, it is standard for medical malpractice claims to be heard in front of a jury. The jury will decide whether or not the healthcare provider was negligent and if so, then the injured party may be compensated for the damages. The state of Washington also allows for punitive damages in certain cases of gross negligence, which are intended to punish the negligent party and discourage similar actions from occurring in the future.

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What is the law on medical malpractice?

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