Before a doctor may follow through with a recommended medical procedure, he or she must ensure that the patient fully understands and consents to the procedure. During the process of informed consent, a doctor and a patient communicate about the procedure, and then the patient signs a legal consent document. Sadly, sometimes patients or family members feel pressured into signing an informed consent document without fully understanding important details, or are given misleading information from their doctors.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a medical procedure performed without your informed consent, you may be able to take legal action against the negligent medical professional. Contact the offices of the Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice lawyers of Salpeter Gitkin, LLP, at 954-467-8622 for a free legal consultation.
Consenting to a Medical Procedure
Before asking you to sign a consent form, your doctor should thoroughly review the following information with you:
- Diagnosis
- Purpose of proposed procedure
- Benefits, risks, and side effects
- Alternatives to the procedure
- Benefits, risks, and side effects of alternatives
- Benefits and risks of refusing to undergo any treatment
You should have ample opportunity to ask questions and understand your treatment options so that you can make an informed decision. If your doctor does not take the time to discuss these issues with you or give you the chance to ask questions, he or she may be guilty of medical malpractice.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has undergone a medical procedure without providing full informed consent, the Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice attorneys at Salpeter Gitkin, LLP, may be able to help you pursue legal action against the negligent physician. Contact our offices at 954-467-8622 for more information.
