The definition of medical malpractice is when a professional person, whether it being a doctor, nurse, and so forth, fails to render proper services to a patient through reprehensible ignorance or negligence, or worse still, with criminal intent, which in turn leads to injury or loss to the patient. With medical criminal acts such as these it is the patient or family of the patient’s every right to seek recourse for the damages done.

Doctors, for instance, are obliged to sign an Hippocratic Oath which stipulates certain ethical and professional manners of conduct that needs to be followed. Although there are no legal enforcement of the Hippocratic Oath, not adhering to it could lead to serious repercussions where a patient can lodge a complaint. If the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) finds that the patient has a liable claim, further steps will taken against the medical professional.

Some of the more severe cases of negligence led to the death of a patient. In such instances it is regarded as medical criminal acts and a medical lawsuit will be filed. If you or a loved one are the victim of medical malpractice it would be in your best interest to seek out the council of a medical malpractice attorney.

Medical malpractice attorneys, such as Adele van der Walt Attorneys, can lodge a complaint on your behalf in order for your case to make a stance against such severe medical criminal acts. Contact Adele van der Walt Attorneys if you require more information on medical negligence.

For more information on this subject, please give us a call at 012 460 3668 (SA)
or e-mail us at linda@avdw.co.za