While the majority of patients admitted to hospitals receive competent treatment and make full recoveries, unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone. Some patients suffer from unnecessary pain and suffering due to the way they are treated at the hospital, and in some cases, they even suffer life-altering or even fatal injuries.

If you or a loved one had a negative experience when admitted to a hospital in Louisiana and suffered damages as a result, you may want to consider taking legal action and filing a medical malpractice claim. In order to do so successfully, you will need to understand how the law applies to your situation. The following is an overview of the medical malpractice laws in Louisiana.

The definition of medical malpractice in Louisiana

Each state has its own definition of medical malpractice. In Louisiana, medical malpractice is deemed to have occurred when a health care provider acted below the industry standard of care, and injuries to a patient resulted in this poor care.

“Health care provider” is a broad term

A health care provider can count as anyone who treated a patient who is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. For example, a health care provider could be a midwife, podiatrist, occupational therapist or clinical laboratory personnel.

Taking action to file a claim in Louisiana

To be successful in making a medical malpractice claim in Louisiana, you will first need to submit your claim to the State of Louisiana’s Medical Review Panel. When you submit your claim, both the claim and the evidence will be reviewed independently. If you get a favorable outcome, you can then take action to file your case.

Claiming damages

If you are successful, you’ll likely be able to gain back damages for all medical costs as well as compensation for the pain and suffering caused.

If you believe that you are a victim of medical malpractice in Louisiana, make sure that you take action to gain the damages that you deserve.