What is the law on medical negligence?

Medical negligence, also known as medical malpractice, occurs when a health care provider fails to provide an adequate standard of care to a patient. In North Carolina, medical negligence is regulated by the “Medical Professional Liability Act” (MPLA). This law establishes the guidelines for medical malpractice cases, including the standard of care expected from health care providers, the process of filing a lawsuit, and the amount of damages that can be rewarded. Under the MPLA, health care providers are expected to follow the standard of care that a practitioner with similar skills and qualifications would provide under the same circumstances. This includes the proper diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, as well as the appropriate exercise of judgment in the diagnosis and treatment of a patient. If a health care provider fails to meet the applicable standard of care, they can be held liable for any resulting harm to the patient. In order to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in North Carolina, the plaintiff must prove that the health care provider was negligent and that the negligence caused injury or death to the patient. The damages awarded in a medical negligence case will vary depending on the severity of the injury, the amount of financial losses that the plaintiff has suffered, and the lawyer’s costs. When assessing a potential malpractice claim, North Carolina courts typically use a “reasonable doctor” standard, meaning that the court will determine whether the defendant acted as a reasonable doctor would have acted in that situation. If not, then the plaintiff may be able to recover damages for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses.

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